Everton Independent Research Data

 

EVERTON 8 NEWCASTLE UNITED 1
November 2 nd 1931. Liverpool Post and Mercury
Everton score Eight
Disastrous Day for Newcastle United
There were goals enough to satisfy the most exacting at Goodison Park, on Saturday, when Everton beat Newcastle United by the remarkable score of 8 goals to 1. With a record of 17 goals against 4 in their last two home games, Everton have developed into a wonderful scoring machine. Saturday's contest had features in common with the game a fortnight ago when Sheffield Wednesday where beaten 9-3. Both days were foggy, and Everton placed most of their goals into the same net on both occasions, six in the first half against Newcastle United and seven in the second half against Wednesday. It was Everton's game almost from the start –one of those occasions when everything goes with a swing and opponents are helpless.
Deadly Shooting.
The first half yielded six goals, yet Newcastle did not play badly, but Everton's shooting was so accurate and deadly that the Newcastle defence was often bewildered. With the defence overworked and the half-backs almost powerless to check the Everton attack, small wonder that the United forwards got few chances. In spite of Newcastle's failure to make any impression on the sound Everton defence, play, especially in the first half, was keen and fast. United's plan, however, collapsed against the relentless tackling of the Everton halves while there was a great contrast between the accurate and precise movements of the Everton attack and the passing of the Newcastle side that were often poorly judged and frequently intercepted. In the second half Newcastle played a more open game, but apart from a few shots by Richardson and Allen, the forwards were rarely dangerous and as a side with three successive victories to their credit were disappointing. Everton played throughout with rare sparkle and conviction, and the player who toward above all others was Cresswell. He well deserved the applause that greeted him at the close of a really great display. Polished, masterly, and resourceful, he was seldom in difficulties, while Williams and Sagar completed a defence that was well nigh faultless.
Half-back's Grip.
Thomson, Gee, and Clark had a fine grip on the Newcastle forwards, and kept their own attacks well supplied with the ball. There was not a weakness in the forwards, the line working with smoothness and accuracy. MCInroy could not be blamed for Newcastle's heavy defeat. The backs, however were often out-maneuvered and with a glut of work the requirements of the forwards were neglected. The goals were scored in the following order; Johnson, 4 minutes, Stein 9 minutes, White 21 minutes, Johnson 23 minutes, Critchley 25 minutes, White 31 minutes, Dean 51 minutes, Dean 70 minutes, Richardson 89 minutes . Teams; - Everton; - Sagar, goal; Williams, and Cresswell, backs; Clark, Gee and Thomson, half-backs; Critchley, White, Dean (captain), Johnson, Stein, forwards.
Newcastle United; - McInroy, goal; Nelson and Fairhurst, backs; McKenzie, Davidson and Weaver, half-backs; Boyd, Richardson, Allen, McMenemy, and Lang, forwards.

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY RESERVES 2 EVERTON RESERVES 1
November 2, 1931. Liverpool Post and Mercury
Central League (Game12)
Fast, clever football was seen at Hillsborough. Sheffield deserved their success, for they were much the more effective, notably in the first half. Everton, after equalising soon after the restart, played with more enterprise, and both Birkley and Rigby did well on the wings, and Dunn schemed cleverly. The defence was sound, and McClure and McPherson strong halves. Millership (2) for Wednesday and Martin (Everton) were the scorers. Everton; - Holdcroft, goal; Common and Bocking, backs; McClure, McPherson and Archer, half-backs; Birkley, Dunn, Reed, Martin and Rigby, forwards.
Everton "A" 3 Skelmersdale United 2
Liverpool Challenge Cup
Everton fully deserved their victory, though their goal, had several narrow escapes. Davies scored Everton's first goal, and after the interval Blackburn equalised. Two quick goals by Leyfield and Worrall restored Everton's lead, and though Skelmersdale played hard during the closing stages they could only get one more goal through Whitby, who was their best forward. Cunliffe was the most prominent of a well-balanced Everton attack.

CAP FOR TP GRIFFITHS AND PH GRIFFITHS
November 2, 1931. Liverpool Post and Mercury
Wales lost to Scotland by three goals two at Wrexham on Saturday, in front of 14,ooo spectators.

EVERTON TOT UP THE GOAL REGISTER
Liverpool Echo - Monday 02 November 1931
By Buzz
Everton scored six goals inside thirty-one minutes against Newcastle, and the joke of it was that Dixie Dean hadn’t one. For this " error " he atoned in  the second half by scoring two headed  goals which gave Everton a hymn of  eight against a Newcastle side which,  on form, looked one of the least likely  sides to succumb to the Everton goal-scoring machine. Candidly, the six goals did not represent a true insight into the run of the game, but they were all well-worked, cleverly-executed goals, so that the myth run-of-the-play honour did not count.  Suffice it to say of Everton's latest win  that Newcastle were out generalled and  outpointed so easily as to make one  believe that Everton could have won by  as many goals as they desired.  What impressed me as a follower of football, who sees such teams as Everton on rare occasions, was the perfect understanding of eleven units. Shades of an Everton whose pattern-weaving and Scottish tradition calmed them to flounder near the foot of the table and cause the crowds to miss a heartbeat when their relegation bogey was nearest! This was an  entirely different side, all power, speed,  and punch, with the frills of half-back  play more than nail-balanced by good  tackling about which there was no  doubt. 
CRESSWELL'S FINESSING 
Everton are not themselves again; they are a far superior, effective team, with tactic, and strategy interspersed as to be far away ahead of the next best. Cresswell fineeneing on Saturday was delightful. So easily accomplished and yet so disturbing to a flyaway of the Boyd type, whose preliminary canters meant nothing, Cresswell being the master at the vital moment of tackle. Then there was Dean’s tactical work, in which one of his best ideas was to start to worry the defence, leave than to it, and watch them entangle themselves for no good reason. Newcastle defenders were going up to the ball together on Saturday, and not an Everton player was on the some of action at the time.  Johnson's far-flung pass was the most useful employed by this sweeping attack. The wing men, Critchley particularly, had a good day, but they hardly showed op so strikingly as White and Johnson, whose freedom from the usual marking was due to Davidson watching of Dean. White and Johnson are haymakers. They shot often and well as their four goals testify.  Newcastle are always attempting that almost impossible recovery. Goals made no difference to their gallantry, and if they had scored three times it would have been no more than their due reward. Allen was twice unlucky and Richardson fired in the best shot of the match when Sagar, in one of his few busy moments, had his work cut out to take the ball at the second attempt. 

EVERTON THE SEASON'S WONDER TEAM
November 2 nd 1931. Evening Express.
Shooting stars dazzle Newcastle.
They will take some beating.
By the Pilot.
They save Black and white,
A new ball and a "gate" just to show they mean to win the league
They scored eight!
Newcastle couldn't stop them; one-two-three-four-five-six goals, all in the first half, and Dixie Dean still waiting to fond the net. Davidson, the former Liverpool centre-half, was the stumbling block. He looked after Dixie as if he were a long-lost brother. Then he realised that if Dean was not getting the goals the others were. So he left Dixie in the second half just now and again to attend to the others, and Dixie scored two. That is the story of Everton's 8-1 win over Newcastle United in a nut-shell.
Everton's run is phenomenal. In the five October matches they scored no fewer than 28 goals against 9 by opponents, and have now a clear lead of three points in the First division. Who will stop them?
On their form against Newcastle it appears as if a super-team will be necessary to accomplished it. They were dynamic in their approach work and finishing; they played with a skill and understanding practically the acme of perfection, and their all-conquering machine literally riddled a really good, clever side. The game was not one of the best, simply because Everton were so much the superior team. Still, it is not many teams, which will thrash the United to this extent or near it. They were mesmerized by the incisive, swift machinations of the Evertonians. Their defenders became haphazard and wild, and on one occasion Davidson and Fairhurst were challenging each other in a heading duel.
Real team work.
Everton, were a real team from goalkeeper, to centre forward. They could divine each other's intentions uncannily and their delightful positional play made their efforts seem so easy and smooth. One would be unjust to single out any man for special praise. Rather does one pass on the praise to the entire eleven and the team work in particular. Still, it would be unfair to Williams, did I not mention his grand work. The Newcastle attack was lively when it had opportunities, but then we saw Williams, playing as a man inspired. His tackling, intervention, and kicking were superlative. Cresswell, was a master of the calm, calculated defence measure; in fact, they made the ideal pair of backs. All the intermediates were sound in defence and had a keen thought for the men in front of them who were absolutely irresistible. I might add that the White-Critchley wing is one of the best in the land at the moment.

BIRTLEY A REAL CAPTURE.
November 2 nd 1931. Evening Express.
Robert Birtley signed from Crook's Town
Brilliant debut for Everton Reserves.
Robert Birtley, Everton's 21-year-old outside right from Crook Town, is a real capture. He made his debut for the club in the Central league match with Sheffield Wednesday reserves at Hillsborough on Saturday, and was the outstanding man on the field. Mr. Clarry Hayes, the director in charge of the team, and Mr. Hunter Hart, the team manager were delighted with the speed, ball control and general tactics of the Northern-Eastern player. Birtley displayed an uncanny knowledge of methods and rarely the same tactics twice in beating a man. Opinions were expressed that Birtley is a potential First Division player. He is well built and is bound to improve with such experience, as he will receive with the Goodison club.

EVERTON'S DEMONSTRATION
Liverpool Echo - Tuesday 03 November 1931
CHAMPIONSHIP THOUGHTS BROADCAST
Bee’s Notes
In these stirring days of big scores and, in other parts of the football world, big sores, it is difficult to keep time with the figure fiends who wade into the Everton eleven and its cricket scores. For instance. The latest question is: —    has any first-class side before scored nines and an sight in twelve months? Everton have scored nine against Southport in a Cup-tie, nine against Plymouth, nine against Sheffield Wednesday, and now eight against Newcastle.  But would one call Second Division matches first-class football? I am doubtful. At any rate, it can be said that no one has equalled Everton’s figures of three nines and an sight in twelve months of modern football. Today the club had a demonstration before the directors of the Marconi principle with an idea, no doubt, of giving their patrons anything they desired; music-or shall we say a championship speech from the chairman and the captain?  That is looking far ahead. Yet who shall say Everton will not rise to the great height again? People say. "It is the same side that went to Division 11, and came back to Division I, with a championship." That is not the case.  Everton have made very urgent and vital alterations that have brought the club to the forefront of classic entertainers who have a rare punch near goal.  In the beginning of the season they  used to score by taking the ball right  up to the goal portion. They don’t carry themselves so far nowadays. The scissors pass by Johnson and White has been the turning-point of the Everton style, together with the added weight of body and weight of shot from White, who to this day is in my mind's eye the best centre half back I have seen.  Gee's introduction as pivot made Everton from the month of January.  Gee is a lively leveller of centre-forwards; He enjoys his football; runs himself out, and all the time he keeps his think-tank in working order. Clark has added weight and a sure pass to the half-back line. In the second match I was duly informed by a critic who knew Clark at Luton this depressing report.  "Cumbersome; he won't be in — the first team six matches." It was a libel, not a label. Clark has fitted the position vary ably. Add the touch of a genius  the sparkle and keen striving of big Ben Williams, and mix it with the  daring and agility of Sagar, and you  have the reasons for Everton's rise-not  forgetting all the forwards, Dean,  Critchley, and Stein. So that it is not  exactly the team that won the Second  Division championship and gave me  many week ends of worry, because when  they won 5-1 against a poor side I refused to stand on such form, and  remarked that I judge Everton in the  knowledge and light of their former  years. We do not think of Everton in the terms of Timbook Rovers F.C.; tradition and history have something to remind us of the needs of Everton F.C

MARTIN AS DEAN'S DEPUTY.
November 4 th 1931. Liverpool Post and Mercury
By John Peel.
With Dean called on to assist the Football League against The Scottish League at Celtic Park, Glasgow, on Saturday, Everton have had to find a new leader, White has been the usual deputy, but he is faring so well as partner to Critchley that the directors decided not to move him, and Martin is, therefore, brought in at centre-forward to oppose Huddersfield Town at Leeds road. This is the only change, and the team is; Sagar; Williams, Cresswell; Clark, Gee, Thomson; Critchley, White, Martin, Johnson, Stein. The Reserves side to meet Burnley in a Central League game, at Goodison Park, kick off three o'clock, will be Coggins; Bocking, Lowe; McClure, Griffiths, Archer; Birkley, Dunn, Reed, Webster, Rigby.
Everton's outlook.
After their fine run of five victories in October by 28 goals to 9, Everton can face the programme set out for than to the end of the year with a high degree of confidence. They play four games this month and five in December. Four home and five away. One of the most testing matches is that at Huddersfield on Saturday, and the remaining fixtures in order are; Chelsea (h), Grimsby Town (a), Leciester City (h), West Ham (a), M8iddlesbrough (h), Bolton Wanderers (a), Blackburn (a), Blackburn (h). On form Everton ought to gain a good proportion of points, and at the turn of the year their supporters hope that the club will be in a very strong position.
Sports Pie
•  Exeter City team, which is making such a rapid advance in the Third Division (Southern Division), possesses a distinct Liverpool flare. There are H. Houghton, the former Everton forward and clubmoor cricker, and A. Davies, who was a member of the First Division Championship. Now the brother of S. Houghton has gone on trial to Exeter.

MARTIN GET DEAN'S PLACE FOR SATURDAY.
November 4 th 1931. Evening Express.
Directors' wise move for Huddersfield game.
By the Pilot.
George Martin has been selected to lead the Everton attack against Huddersfield, at Leeds road, on Saturday, in place of Dean, who will be assisting the Football league. This is, a happy decision by the directors, from two angles. Martin is a versatile player who can be depended on to lead the forward line skillfully and also his introduction preserves the wing combinations, which have been vital factors, in Everton success. This will be Martin's first appearance this season, but he played regularly during the closing stages of last campaign, and was at centre-forward in the final game against Preston North End, scoring Everton's only goal. Last season Martin scored seven goals in 15 first team matches. He is a brainy player, with a good shot in either foot. Everton; Sagar; Williams, Cresswell; Clark, Gee, Thomson; Critchley, White, Martin, Johnson, Stein.
Billy Coggins, last season's first team goalkeeper, makes his first appearance of the season on Saturday, when he will keep goal for the Central league side against Burnley. Coggins played in every match last season, but during the summer under went an operation for appendicitis, and was in a nursing home for 11 weeks. He resumed training about two weeks ago. This game will give Everton supporters their first opportunity of seeing Birtley the new outside right from Crook Town. Everton Reserves; Coggins; Bocking, Lowe; McClure, Grififths (T), Archer; Birtley, Dunn, Reed, Webster, Rigby.
Sports Pie
•  Liverpool County combination play West Lancashire League, at College road, Crosby on Saturday and Jackson, Worrall, Cunliffe, and Leyfield of Everton will represented Liverpool County Combination.

EVERTON'S NEW CENTRE OF ATTRACTION-MARTI N 
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 04 November 1931 
Everton have brought in Martin as centre forward for the Huddersfield game. The idea was that Critchley and White should not be separated as a wing pair.  O'Donnell, ex-Everton and now Blackpool, has been suspended by his club for fourteen days for breach of training discipline. 

“SOLENT” SOLVES TACTICS
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 04 November 1931
“Solent says;-
I have been studying Everton’s methods against Wednesday and Newcastle.  I think most people have noticed their method of commencing the game, with the long pass to the right wing.  We usually look upon the centre-half of the team as the key man.  In Everton’s case I think it is Johnson.  Johnson, in my opinion, plays in a position which I call forward centre-half.  From here he takes passes from the full-backs and half-backs, and sends his forwards moving, and then takes up his own place at inside-left.  The question is how can the opposing team defeat this scheme.  The centre half is too far away to help.  This means that an inside-forward would have to be called on, and this would weaken their attack.  Can you give solution?  I was pleased to notice how they attack from a throw-in.  Thomson throws in to Johnson, who returns the ball.  Instead of the usual aimless kick Thomson then draws his man, and, again returns to Johnson, who usually sends his wing man away. 

EVERTON TO BREAK ANOTHER RECORD?
November 6 th 1931. Evening Express.
By the Pilot.
A Great deal rests on the Everton defence in their meeting with Huddersfield Town at Leeds-road, tomorrow. Williams and Cresswell, will be asked to shoulder a big burden in facing the lively Huddersfield attack, but they are playing so well together and covering with such exactitude, that I think they will be capable of giving a strong covering for Sagar. Williams by the way, will be making his 50 th appearance for Everton since he came from Swansea in 1929-30. He made nine appearances in 1929-30; 35 appearances last season, and has appeared in five games this season. He is playing better football, at the moment than at any time in his career, and it is his splendid understanding with Cresswell, which has made the Everton defence such a strong bulwark. Huddersfield have won only four of their seven home matches, but they have yet to go down before their own supporters. They will be without Goodall, their best defender, who plays with Dean in Glasgow. Everton have not suffered defeat since visiting the Arsenal on September 26, and on form they should preserve that record tomorrow. In addition to Goodall, Huddersfield will be without Young, who is suffering from influenza. Spence will take Goodall's place, and Tom Wilson will play centre half on his first appearance for the first team this season. MacLean, recovered from influenza replaces Whittam at inside left. Huddersfield; Turner; Spence, Roughton; Carr, Wilson, Campbell; Jennings, Kelly, Mangnall, MacLean, Smith. Everton; Sagar; Williams, Cresswell; Clark, Gee, Thomson; Critchley, White, Martin, Johnson, Stein.
Central League advertising in Express; Central League Match at Goodison Park tomorrow (Saturday) Everton v Burnley. Kick off 3.0 p.m. Admission 6d, Boys 3d. Stands extra, including tax.

EVERTON'S TASK AT HUDDERSFIELD
Liverpool Echo - Friday 06 November 1931
Bee’s Notes
Everton go to Huddersfield where two years ago Everton got points which seemed to make their relegation troubles at an end.  What of tomorrow’s match?  The football world is looking hard at Everton.  Who can beat?  Who should beat them?  They ask with one voice.  Huddersfield has been a bit of a bogey ground for Everton and the followers of the club would feel more comfortable if Dean were playing, albeit they do not forget that the tall Goodall goes to Scotland, too, and therefore matters are evenly balanced.  However, there is enormous trust, confidence and belief in Dean.  Having said that, one does not forget that his side won without him when peppering West ham; at Portsmouth this season White scored three goals from centre-forward berth.  So that we may be anticipating trouble where none exists, especially as the inclusion of Martin allows White and Critchley to keep their wing intact, Martin is experienced, able, and perhaps unlucky to continually miss first team inclusion.  He will not let down the side, and we can look forward to some more goals.  Bolton have taken a fancy to Martin.  Huddersfield still find their veterans Bob Kelly and W.H. Smith the hastiest of attackers; they do more with one stride and one body swerve than other forwards do in a dozen movements.  Huddersfield are dangerous on their own ground; they have a great winger in Jennings, of Kidderminister, and a certain international in Roughton.  I saw both these boys make their debut for their eleven.  Huddersfield may not be the stars of championship years, but they are still a great side.  It is rather a happy thing that the Bee Sport Club should have chosen this match for its first outing of the season.  The special train load that leaves Lime-Street at 12.10 will be able to give Everton all the encouragement they need-if any is needed.  The truth is that the Everton side has got into a groove that is machine-like, and is carrying them to goals made by patent process.  They will be hard to stop; tomorrow the call to special endeavor is more than usually urgent owing to the two factors;’

  1. Away from home against a known clever side.
  2. The absence of Dean.

These should not be insurmountable difficulties.  On which the goal crop, Everton on with the victory and championship desire.

EVERTON'S STIFF HURDLE.
November 7 th 1931. Liverpool Post and Mercury
By John Peel.
Huddersfield Town returned tom their best form in time to oppose Everton, who have attained the top most place by reason of a remarkable run in October. Can the Yorkshire side stop the leader's gallop? It would not be surprising if they did, for Huddersfield Town are still one of the most formidable League teams in the Country on their own ground. Everton will not have Dean to lead the attack, while Huddersfield will lack the invaluable services of Goodall at full back. These players are on duty in Glasgow. Martin will lead the Everton forwards, and if the visitors can keep up the pace of the last few matches they should not be beaten. Huddersfield Town; Turner; Spence, Roughton; Carr, Wilson, Campbell; Jennings, Kelly, Mangnall, McLean, Smith. Everton; Sagar; Williams, Cresswell; Clark, Gee, Thomson; Critchley, White, Martin, Johnson, Stein.

NO GOALS FOR THE SPORTS CLUB
Liverpool Echo –Saturday November 7 1931
EVERTON NEAR TO BEING IN ARREARS AT HUDDERSFIELD
DEAN AND GOODALL ABSENT
By Bee
Huddersfield; Turner; Spence, Roughton; Carr, Wilson, Campbell; Jennings, Kelly (r.), Mangnally, Mclean, Smith.  Everton; Sagar; Williams, Cresswell; Clark, Gee, Thomson; Critchley, White, Martin, Johnson, Stein.  Referee; Mr. J. Botham, Walsall. There was a grave risk that the game at Huddersfield would not be played.  The weather was very bad; there had been rain all the morning, and the mist that surrounded the district here threatened all sorts of nasty things, but there was a great change no less than a quarter of an hour from the start. The fog lifted, the air got brighter, and the home team breathed freely again.  They had banked on this game producing their record crowd. The big scoring works of Everton had made them vastly entertaining to the home and away crowds, and it is worth mentioning that " Bee’s Sports Club” brought about 2,000 people trekking to the Yorkshire centre in the hope that they would see a continuance of the glory that has been Everton's this season, but there was a vital difference in both sides.  Goodall and Dean were at the inter-League match at Glasgow, and while it  is true that each team suffered one  " defaulter." there was just the fear that  a break of continuity might alter the  confidence of one or other side. The ground was showing plenty of green, and was plainly wet.  Everton brought Common with them as reserve full back, and Huddersfield played Spence, the schoolmaster, vice Goodall.  Wilson made his first appearance in the Huddersfield first team, Young being off ill, so the Yorkshire side showed veterans such as Wilson, Smith, and Bob Kelly, a trinity worth playing in any first division.  Jock Thomson was captain for the day. A spectator remarked that Huddersfield had a vastly inferior reception to that of Everton. They are rather lukewarm here, and even winning sides do not draw the people.  Thomson began his duties with the right name of the sped and off we sped with the knowledge that a draw with Huddersfield would be acceptable. Bob Kelly tried to work the usual Everton out-pass, and failed to get his wing man. From this Everton might, indeed, have scored. Johnson told Thomson to  " hit it." and the captain replied  "Certainly "  Wilson, far from heading the ball  rightly, nearly turned it up towards his  own goal, and White, moving to centre-forward  had a chance. He was half-covered when he shot, and his failure to get further round his shot led to a ball that swung out.    
A MISS
 A miss, my friends, and Huddersfield repeated the dose, first Williams and then Thomson cutting across to cover out a shot that must have been near a goalmaker. There was plenty of life in the early play, you will notice, and more important, the ball's greasy state was seemingly making it difficult for anyone to suggest accuracy.  The crowd of possibly 15,000 warmed to the game, and McLean was nicely placed when Cresswell failed in a tackle he went into rather late. The ball was swung about without value or result for a time, and Critchley was unable to get going in his smooth manner.  However. Everton broke into a combined movement. In which Martin had a good feint and a nice pass. Stein centred according to plan, and White headed quite close. The crowd appreciated this sound and convincing bit or play.  Everton went on the attack again, and Johnson's far-flung pass led to Martin being near. In fact, Martin,  at a third chance, made a sharp, short  dribble, and then swung the shot to  the right hand side—a capital effort.  Critchley outpaced the half-back, centred, and Stein's shot landed the ball just where Martin had gone. Johnson beat Bob Kelly's back-heel notion, and centred where Dean likes them, but got nothing from the movement, and Sagar picked up a very easy centre, and easy was the way Cresswell stepped forward and passed onward.  From this more Critchley leaped up and over a rival and centred, but Johnson and then Clark fell down on the slippery turf. Kelly did not fall, but  he could not get hold of his lavish shot,  and two off-side decisions against the home side did not stop Sager making his  whether there was an off-side decision  two saves, and thus making sure  or not.  Critchley was prominent in an uncomfortable sprint. His trousers were coming down the whole time, and he not could not show his pace. As soon as he was strung up again the play went on in a sporting and even manner. Clark  delayed his pass a shade too long, but  White, bursting for goal, made a far-out  shot, long and along the ground, a grand  attempt, and suggestive of the right way  to make goals against the Huddersfield  side. 
SHUDDERSFIELD
So far Huddersfield had been strong but not convincing.  One would rather call them Shuddersfield. Smith and Kelly, the old men of the side, paired off rather well until Thomson went right across the field to the touchline and stopped Smith's danger mark.  Critchley broke through and was in the act of shooting when his feet went from under him and he was not even able to drive the ball.  Everton rather bothered me when Smith went through to four yards distance from Sager.  The visitors had cried “offside without avail, and Smith should have taken his glorious chance. Instead he tamely touched the ball forward and was probably bothered by Sagar, who had come out and smothered Smith's view.  Tom Johnson made a beautiful half-volley  shot that Turner punched away,  and then the able young Kidderminster  player, Jennings, went up and looked  like taking goal No. 1, with the Everton  defence getting entangled as to who  should take the man. The ball struck Cresswell, went for a corner, and nothing came out of that lucky bag.  McLean made the best upward pass of the day, but Mangnall was not competent to turn it to full use. Campbell went a-roving, as is his style, and the right wing made him pay for it. Yet there was still no sign of a goal.  Everton got on top, and Huddersfield went very limp. Gee dribbled through, and then forsook the thought of a shot —a mistake in these circumstances. The first real shot of the match came from McLean, what time a linesman was flagging furiously.  The referee had  determined to ignore the foul and let  play go on. The need of combination between referees and linesmen is urgent.  Smith went on to shoot from offside, and by that means Everton might have suffered a great escape. Smith took the corner kick. Mangnall headed the ball beyond Sagar, and the ball struck the foot of the upright.  Even then a goal seemed assured, but Williams, from the goal line, pushed the ball away, and thus stopped the opening goal—a timely save; yet the whole course of the incident had arisen from an offside that had escaped the referee.  White and Critchley had a fine understanding,  and it was this pair that made  a chance shot for Stein,  a steady aim,  a lovely drive, and the full driving power  that sent the ball out of Turner's reach,  but, merely left its mark upon the far  upright, a foot front the top of the bar.  This was a great goal in making and shaping missed by inches. White shot over; Creswell made a false pass, and Williams throughout was a relentless defender.  Turner saved at the foot of the goal from Martin after a defender had erred and saved. So the home centre went forward and swept the ball for Smith to create a sensation the old man fell before the full-back of Clark. This half-time came with blank.  Half-time; Huddersfield Town nil, Everton nil.
EVERTON’S FIRST DRAW
BAR STRUCK TWICE AND FORWARDS MISS CHANCES
HUDDERSFIELD’S HALF
SCENE BETWEEN WILLIAMS AND W.H. SMITH
The great scoring machine of Everton has been stopped. Everton struck the woodwork twice at Huddersfield, and never struck their shooting form. They missed easy chances and threw away a point.  This is the first draw of the season.  They won all their games in October, and November has come in with a draw away from home, which is net to be sniffed at. However, the Everton side had such chances to win against a moderate side that there should have been no doubt about the full victory.
There was no score in the first half.  Gee was prominent in the opening moments of the second half, and McLean bumped into him. The pair fell and Gee slung McLean over. This led to trouble that need not have been, against side that had shown signs of weakness; their inside forwards had been very poor in their use of the ball.  Martin tried another chance sort of a shot that bumped its way towards Turner, and Smith continued to find Williams a veritable tartar.  Tiring of trying to find his co-forwards Smith let out a drive of viciousness that was far removed from the goal range.  Clark turned a somersault, standing on his head in the process, and Critchley fell again just when he promised a goal.  He had been very unlucky.  Everton's passing was very convincing just now, and it was wretched for when Martin struck the cross-bar —the second escape of its kind to Huddersfield in the game. A goal seemed certain.  Johnson passed square, Martin let the ball pass through his legs, and White, flabbergasted at the ease of his chance, shot outside—a big error.  A goal at this point would have made Huddersfield crumble to bits. They were overwhelmed at this stage and were thus allowed to play on; believing they had a good chance of stopping Everton’s scoring machinery.  Smith, in fact, sent in the best shot of the match, Sagar making a capital save. Campbell and Thompson in turn made grand tackles. Critchley shot outside when angled and when White might have made a drive, Martin having made the initial move cleverly; Campbell held up the game for the first time through a damaged nose.  Huddersfield netted, but the referee saw Mangnall's hand beat the ball and the point did not count.  Martin, not four yards from goal, shot high over the bar, and hurt himself in so doing. A tackle at the critical moment damaged his leg, and his chance of making a simple goal. The crowd was thirsting for a goal, but one seemed far away, since the bar had barred the way and easy chances had been missed.  Johnson relieved the non-shot Everton brigade with a right-foot effort quite close.  Huddersfield had an attacking spell, but, like Everton, they were not satisfying in front of goal. There was a breeze when Smith scooted beyond Williams who fetched the winger down forcefully.  Williams went to pick up his adversary.  Smith sent for the boxing strain, not knowing that Williams is a great boxer.  Williams drew back his fist, but, I am glad to say, it was a threat, not the promise of a punch.  Martin kicked round a chance after refusing to take the first offer of a shot.  Everton resumed their better type of football and outplayed the home side.  Smith was the only dangerous Yorkshire forward. Cresswell was injured in the last moment of the play when heading out to save a goal.  Final; Huddersfield Town nil, Everton nil. 

STUD MARKS
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 07 November 1931
By Louis T. Kelly

EVERTON RES V BURNLEY RES
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 07 November 1931
The early play was of an even and interesting character, but when the Burnley defence started to exploit offside tactic much of Everton’s forward effectiveness faded out.  Both keepers were busily engaged but few of the effort were off the scoring variety, and when Birtley centred squarely into the goalmouth Read hesitated and lost a good chance.  Conway saved from Birtley and Archer.  At the twenty-fifth minute Everton’s defence faultered and Kelly opened Burnley’s score, Coggins having no chance.  The home attack then rallied, and the Burnley goal survived a series of very lucky escapes.  Read being the unlucky shooter.  During the onslaught Conway hurt his arm, and Read shot the equalizer.  The Burnley keeper left the field and Sumers went into goal.  Persistency on the part of Webster led to him scoring Everton’s second goal.  Half-time; Everton Res 2, Burnley Res 1.
It was later ascertained that Conway the Burnley keeper, had fractured a bone in the fore-arm, and he was removed to the Stanley Hospital.  Rigsby scored a third goal for Everton fifteen minutes after resuming.  Rigby, with penalty, scored Everton’s fourth.  Birtley scored a fifth and Dunn a sixth for Everton Res.  Final; Everton Res 6, Burnley Res 1. 

HUDDERSFIELD TOWN 0 EVERTON 0
November 9 th 1931. Liverpool Post and Mercury
Everton Cramp their Style
Chances missed at Huddersfield.
By "Bee."
Everton have been checked –a mere trifle, but sufficient to stop the ready flow of goals that had been coming to them all through the month of October. They had themselves to blame for not making secure in this game. The chances were there, and while the woodwork is always a tangible reason why the ball should not pass by the fact remains that after Everton had hit the woodwork twice –with one very good shot and another shot that should never have reached so high as the crossbar. Everton in short were not themselves in attack at the Huddersfield ground. They did their best when they were playing good combined football, but the scissors pass was not in evidence more than twice during the day, and the cramped style of play adopted only served to make them scoop up ground, and fail near goal.
Pass That Surprised White.
They were not an attacking force in the five-sense of the formation; they were more spasmodic than usual, and Martin acting for Dean missed two rather easy chances, while White seem perturbed that such a simple pass could come his way when Martin allowed the ball to pass through his legs. This was where Everton missed their way, and allowed a moderate Huddersfield side to escape the full punishment of a defeat. It was Everton's first drawn game of the season; it was Everton's third match this season that had been goalless for them, and it was only a temporary phase of faultiness. I feel sure. I am not blaming Martin, he did well for half an hour, and then had few chances, and those that came his way were so good that he should have scored, but he was not alone in this matter; Critchley could have scored, Johnson and Stein were the better pair in front of goal, and White and Critchley worked admirably in opening out notions of passing, but they got nowhere after the first portion of play. Play actually was hard and restless rather than competent. Huddersfield were far from their former standing. The three inside men never rose to any great height, and Mangnall once netted by the use of his hand, while another time the Everton back. Williams kicked away from the goal-line after the referee Mr. Botham of Walsall, had erred over an offside decision. Everton should have realised that sound, combined play could beat this Yorkshire side –it had been proved so in the first quarter of an hour.
The One Man to do it.
For some reason the Everton team got unsettled; they were nervy when the veteran Smith got the ball, Smith was looked upon at the one man who could pull the game out of the fire for the home side; and he was plied frequently with fine-judged passes by his partner and by Campbell, who had such a sorry first half against Critchley and White. Everton were suffering hard pressure during the second half, until they resumed their fine sense of pass and their judgement was ripe –Johnson at all times the ruling factor in steadying and boiling the line. Thus Everton wound up the match with a rousing attack, or set of attacks, and came near pulling off the one goal needed to win a game of this character. Clark shot when he should have centred. Martin could not get the ball under control, and Stein had little chance, save in the early play, when he drove in a perfect shot that beat the goalkeeper but not the upright. It was not a shot day; it was not a day when the ball travelled nicely –the ground was wet and the ball needed some controlling. Everton proved they could do this better than their rivals, and perhaps it would be greedy to expect more than a half from a drawn game remembering that it was Everton who had not accepted the bright chances.
Pace and Judgement Lacking.
Their goalkeepers had one really difficult save to attend to all day. Turner had little more; Cresswell and Williams were the dependable men of the defence, though the Huddersfield backs had a better second half than the first portion, which had shown them lacking in pace and judgement. Wilson came to the aid of the side he captained for so many years, and he was not blameworthy. Kelly, however, did not strike his form. Of the half-backs, Gee did best, with Thomson dour and Clark best in the way he pushed the ball to his forwards. Thomson led the Everton team, as Dean was in Scotland playing with the English League side. A drawn battle was the best verdict in the circumstances. Teams; Huddersfield; - Turner, goal; Spence and Roughton, backs; Carr, Wilson (captain) and Campbell, half-backs; Jennings, R. Kelly, Mangnell, McLean and Smith, forwards. Everton; - Sagar, goal; Williams and Cresswell, backs; Clark, Gee and Thomson (captain), half-backs; Critchley, White, Martin, Johnson, and Stein, forwards.

FOOTBALL LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL MATCH
November 9 th 1931.
The Scottish League beat the Football League by four goals to three at Celtic Park, Glasgow in front of 40,000 spectators, Dean playing for the Football League, but he didn't score, however he was always evident.

EVERTON RESERVES 6 BURNLEY RESERVES 1
November 9 th 1931. Liverpool Post and Mercury
Central League (Game 13)
Burnley, at Goodison Park could be considered unlucky in being so heavily defeated. For although Everton played well enough to deserved victory, it was the loss of goalkeeper Conway throughout the second half that led to Burnley becoming much disorgansied. Kelly opened the score for the visitors and it was during the attack in which Reed scored for Everton's equaliser that Conway sustained what later believed to be a fractured bone in his left forearm. Summers outside right took his place in goal. Webster gave Everton the interval lead. After the resumption Everton monopolised the pressure and goals were scored by Rigby (2, one penalty), Birkley and Dunn. The new right winger Birkley played convincingly, and the deputy Burnley goalkeeper also did well. Everton; Coggins; Bocking and Lowe, backs; McClure, TP Griffiths and Archer, half-backs; R. Birkley, Dunn, G Reed, CR Webster, and Rigby, forwards.

A POINT, BUT NO GOALS.
November 9 th November 1931
Everton's failure in what was really a success.
By the Pilot.
We are so used to Everton's goal-dumping methods that their failure to score at Huddersfield came as a shock. But they got a point at Leeds-road, and that in itself is a splendid achievement. Don't forget this; Any club that can win its home matches and draw its away games is certain to win the championship. But why no goals? The answer is: Chances were missed, and Dixie Dean was missed. Martin is a fine footballer, and he led the line with judgement, but he was more an opening creator than an opening acceptor. He missed two chances in the second half, on one occasion striking the framework of the goal, and in the first half particularly, he did not show that snap in fighting for possession of a centre which is a characteristic of Dean. At the same time, Martin was completely successful in his fieldwork, and Everton are lucky to posses a deputy of such versatility.
Everton the best side.
No matter how much one views this hard, forceful game, one must arrive at the conclusion that Everton should have had both points. They were more together as a team and their ideas were of a higher standard than those of the Town. They dominated the game in the first half, and had it not been for the brilliance of Turner must have established a fair lead. The Town had their chances, it is true, but their finishing was indifferent. Critchley and Stein were Everton's finest foils, and in the first half, when the Town halves were really unsettled, these fleet-footed wingers had a merry time. They were judiciously nursed by the untiring Johnson, who specialised in the wide pass, and White, who, however, was not a such a power as recently. Gee took time to settle down, but was a thorough worker, though hardly as good as Clark and Thomson. Clark was the best half-back on the field and often exploited the quick burst through with success.
Ideal Backs.
Williams and Cresswell were the ideal pair of backs, though their methods were so different, and Sagar was a fine goalkeeper. Huddersfield were well served by Magnall, Smith, Campbell, Spence and Turner with Turner the man who saved the point.
The Velvet Glove.
Those who say chivalry in football is dead are wrong. During the Huddersfield-Everton match Williams fouled the veteran Smith, and a bitter "argument" followed between the players. When Everton arrived back at their hotel Smith was waiting for them and asked for Williams. He wanted to make sure there was no ill-feeling, and be certain that he and Williams were staunch friends off the field. Williams was only too pleased to forget and two good sportsmen shook on it.

EVERTON’S LACK OF FINISH AT HUDDERSFIELD
Liverpool Echo- Monday, November 9, 1931
Bee's Notes
It is race week; and Saturday seemed to usher in the racing tactics of some of our footballers. There were fives and  fours strewn all over the football fields,  and the pity of it is that while these  gourmandisers were getting their crops  in Everton were letting slip by a nice  chance to make a further away victory.  In ordinary circumstances one would look upon a visit to Huddersfield with a draw as the verdict as a very happy result. But Everton have set their own high standard and their people expect them to carry on with their confidence the trick and their ability to get goals.  They were lacking on Saturday in a final stroke. They played very ably on the wing—the right wing had a glorious first half against young Roughton and the artistic Camsell.  After the home team held the pair a trifle until near the end when Critchley and White got on top again. Johnson  playing the rover's part with a fine  sense of touch and making a lot of great  tackles in the half-back manner, was  the one man in the front line who was  sure and sound and " bolding it " and  steadying the line. But his task was too great. The missed chances had unsettled the attack; they felt the gods would not forgive them—they did 
"NOT A SHOT" GAME 
There is a game called “shoot."  Everton did not have it with them on Saturday. Turner certainly ran out to scoop up some centre. but he had no  difficulty keeping goal and Sagar had  but two exciting moments in the game;  one when he was saved by Williams and  one when Smith suggested a score and  offered a hot shot. Now remembering the amount of attack Everton enjoyed it was foolish to think of Turner escaping. He did not deserve to, but if Everton hit the woodwork twice and then fail to take simple chances six yards out at the most they must blame themselves, not Huddersfield. I rate the Yorkshire side about 45 per cent, weaker than three years ago, which means that three are getting very old and the rest have to win their spurs.  This was a game that should have been won by Everton—could have been won with a shade of goal-sense near the posts. All round, however, the shooting was bad. I suggested to a player that the hall was wet; he replied. "No, it wasn’t that; we just did not reach our form and there can be no denying it."  Yet in defence Cresswell and Williams gave a rousing and totally contrasted kind of defence play that made big appeal to the locals. I shudder to think of either of them getting hurt, much as have always appreciated Common’s flitting in and out of the first team.  Cresswell — has for weeks been complaining:  on Saturday he got a further knock and one can only hope he is not affected to the point of the game with Chelsea next Saturday at Goodison Park. 
HALF-BACK STRENGTH
I reckoned Everton half-backs played their best; each used the other for a pass; they "found" each other with ease, and linked up with their forwards in a manner that suggested a rout. But  Everton's attack began to race about., to forget that skill had carried them to  their present high standard, and they  lost touch with confidence and shooting  —and the goals. Gee was very deadly  against the sporting Mangnall, and  Clark, while giving the valiant Smith  a great deal of room in the second-half,  was for once unable to get in his  customary victory-stroke—a stroke our  clubs have suffered for many years in  Cup and League touraments. Kelly  was, with Smith, perhaps the best  trapper of a ball on the field, but Kelly  fell into the hands of his half-back, and  even into the hands of Johnson—not  once but many times. Jennings could make nothing of Thomson, the acting-captain, who had a great day's work.,  and in the, work was some perfect  " line" passing to Stein, who was the surest man in attack considering the  chances he had. Martin cannot be made the scapegoat, but it must be on record that he worried through and worked hard only to find two rational chances go by him. In just the same way White stood in front of goal through Martin's perfect football trickery and hardly blew" the ball towards Turner's charging. The ball went outside slowly and surely. White had been caught napping. It was a hard game, fluctuating, and therefore interesting in part, but I count no games thoroughly interesting if the top team of the League, and a side like Huddersfield’s, is unable to offer a shot after their caperings—the more to with Everton because they had blinded Huddersfield with combination-science up to a certain point. However, the point of Saturdays game is that no one was hurt, and that to draw from home is a rather humble but very acceptable state of affairs. Everton will resume their big-goal crop against Chelsea on Saturday, I feel sure. And, as usual, I shall not be there to see it.
Gee of Everton, is being talked of as a likely pivot for England v. Scotland. 

RAPID RISE OF GEE
November 10 th 1931. Liverpool Post and Mercury
By John Peel.
The rise of Gee, the Everton centre-half, to International standard has been rapid. Few players progress so quickly as the former Stockport player has done. He has been less than two years at Everton, and so well has he accomplished his task that the selectors are turning to him in the endeavour to solve the pivotal problem Graham apparently did not please. Gee has got his chance early, and he may be depended upon to grip the opportunity, for if he is a success next week he will be well in the running for the more highly prized "cap" against Scotland. Gee, who is a product of Reddish, where he led the school team to many victories before he was old enough to make a name with Stockport County, rising quickly from the "A" team to the first team. When he joined Everton Gee was regarded as one of the best of the young centre half-backs in the country, and he has fulfilled his promise. There is no doubt that he has had a great deal to do with the success of the team.

GEE SOON CAPPED
Liverpool Echo - Tuesday 10 November 1931
Bee’s Notes
The first word is one of congratulation to Waring and to Gee upon their capping by the F.A. for the game at Anfield v Wales. If Dean had been playing it would have produced the very curious factor that Dean, Griffiths, and Gee of the same club would have been "in conference." It will be a curiosity, too, to find Everton providing both centre-half-backs for this game. It is not a nice thought that the selectors have again needed to swop a right-winger in Hine to inside-left. The inside forwards of to-day aren’t very clever--except those of the school.  If you look hard through the team sheets you will find that only the old fellows—aged thirty or there-abouts—are showing ability at inside-left or inside-right!  Gee's selection is a very happy one; he is a very jovial man with a good heart and a thorough enjoyment of his game. At times the Impetuosity of his football fervour carries where it should not, but I am happy to say he is one of the most amenable boys in the game in the sense that you can talk to him and he will listen and learn.  He has already gained a lot of experience  through " yielding to treatment." and it  is plain he has only to keep his level  head and play the game to have a good  long run as England's centre half back.  Years ago we had no doubts about the pivot place; it was Wedlock for years; then it was Herron for years; now it can be Gee—it is up to Gee himself to see that he carries his honours modestly.  The ability is there.  Charles Gee has passed examinations in technology—now he has an examination on the score of sense and sense of proportion. He won't fail his sponsors.  The team is sure to appeal, but there will many arguments in this city over the centre berth. Dean, accustomed by defenders has had little chance.  Waring will someday be in the same defence area.  We in this City know full well how good both can be, and how poorly they can play when the mood is not on them.  We take the F.A’s choice, and accept it willingly and sporting-fashion.
ARMY STORES AT GOODISON PARK-A MATCH PROMISE
Gee got the good news of his first international cap from The Hive.  HE was at Stockport, his home, when the tidings arrived. The Stockport Schools Association at once sent him congratulations. He played for his school team—this was the beginning of his football career. Oddly enough, Gee's only ether ambition in life is to be a-police-constable!  
Colonel Richards, of the Army Recruiting Department, tells me that it has been definitely arranged that a football match between Everton and an Army team (drawn from the best Army players through- out the country) is to be played at Liverpool on Wednesday, April 6.  The last military international played here was the famous meeting of England and Scotland at Goodison Park, when Hampton. Reid, Buchan, Ken Campbell and ethers took part in one of the greatest internationals aver played. 

CHELSEA VISIT
November 11 TH 1931. Liverpool Post and Mercury
Chelsea are the visitors to Goodison Park on Saturday, when Everton will endeavour to keeping up their recent winning record in home games, Dean, of course resumes at centre forward, this being the only chance from the team which draw at Huddersfield. The sides is; Sagar; Williams, Cresswell; Clark, Gee, Thomson; Critchley, White, Dean, Johnson, Stein. Everton have the making of a good outside right in young Crooks Town player Berkley, who is showing capital form with the Reserves. Coggins is getting into harness again, and the Reserves side to met Bolton Wanderers at Burnden Park is Coggins; Bocking, Lowe; Britton, Griffiths, Archer; Berkley, Dunn, Reed, Webster, Rigby.
Sports Pie.
•  Harrison, the former Everton and Preston North End wing forward, (Now 39 years old) has joined Blackpool. He finished eight years service at Deepdale and was given a free transfer. During his six Seasons with Everton, which club he joined from Leciester Fosse, with Thompson, the full back, he rendered valuable service, and both here and at Preston he regarded as one of the hardest shots from a dead ball in the country, and many of his goals were obtained from free kicks and penalty kicks.

FORTUNE IN PLAYERS.
November 13 th 1931. Evening Express.
£50,000 worth at Goodison tomorrow.
Nine Internationals on View.
By the Pilot.
Players whose value measured in terms of money is more than £50,000, will be on view at Goodison Park tomorrow, when Everton meet Chelsea again after a lapse of three years. The sides will include no fewer than nine internationals –five English, three Scottish and one Welsh. Five of them will be in the Everton team; Dean, Williams, Cresswell, Johnson and Gee. It should be one of the finest matches seem on the ground this season, for though Chelsea have not been doing well this season, with such exponents in their side they are bound to serve up high-class football. They will be considerably strengthened by the inclusion of Peter O'Dowd, their latest acquisition from Burnley, and his duels with dean, who returns to the Everton leadership following Football League duty, should constitute some of the tit-bits of the encounter. Chelsea have secured but nine points from 14 matches, as compared with the Blues''21 from a similar number of games. In away matches they have won twice and drawn once. The remaining five matches have been lost. Chelsea are persevering with their experiment of playing Hughie Gallacher at inside right as partner to Alec Jackson. This enables Mills to lead the attack. This formation enabled the side to beat Derby County on Saturday. The match should bring Everton their 11 th victory of the campaign, but it will be a game worth watching. Everton; Sagar; Williams, Cresswell; Clark, Gee, Thomson; Critchley, White, Dean, Johnson, Stein. Chelsea; Millington; Odell, Law; Russell, O'Dowd, Carter; Jackson, Gallacher, Mills, Rankin, Crawford.

I DON'T FANCY CHELSEA 
Liverpool Echo - Friday 13 November 1931
Bee’s Notes
I confess I do not fancy Chelsea. They have disappointed me, and well though the former Everton player. Whitley, may work upon his charges, I do not think they can he pulled into Everton's class-always hoping and believing that Everton will be in their October mood when they scored victories in every game. Everton missed the boat last week through the big man of the middle being absent. They sensed the difficulty—the uncommon “feel “that the big fellow was not there. Dean is there to-morrow, and I think he will make their confidence complete. The shooting guns will he in working order again, and as Chelsea now  adopt the three full-back style, I think  they can look out for some pepper-corn  from the Goodison Park side. There is a fine feeling of unanimity in the side that tops the first division of the league, but the chart shows how near Aston Villa  are, with their two games less played .  Villa are in a good position, a quiet position on the rails. Everton know it, and must needs make every post a winning post.  Meantime Chelsea say: "We are happy to be at Goodison Park; we know we shall be allowed to play football."  Let me add that the famous Huddersfield player and former captain of the side, Tom Wilson, said to me last week:  Everton to-day have more heart than they have shown for five seasons; they are spirited; they are forceful as well as clever." Let Chelsea remember that.  Everton are not playing harsh football; it is very dogged and dour, however, and the side is blended to a degree uncommon even in the history of the Goodison Park club. There is a massiveness and weight about the inside -right, centre-forward and all the half-barks, (not forgetting the variety-pair at full-back—Cresswell, the dude, and Williams, his counter-foil—with Sagar going great guns in goal) that shows Everton towering over opponents.  I think there will be a big score for Everton to-morrow and the usual big crowd will be there to join in the chorus of figures I, 2. 3. 4 ? ? ? ?
Everton; Sagar; Williams, Cresswell; Clark, Gee, Thomson; Critchley, White, Dean, Johnson, Stein. 
Aigburth Silver Prize Band (conductor Harry Wearing) will give the following programme at Goodison Park, tomorrow;-March “Blaze away” (Bert Feldman), tango “Oh Rosalita” (Bert Feldman) fox-trot,  “Miss Elizabeth Brown” (Bert Feldman), grand selection, “Oberon” (Weber), waltz  “The Twilight Waltz” (Feldman), fox-trot.  “River Stay ‘Way From My Door.”  (Feldman), two-step, “Strolling Round the Town” (Feldman). 
EVERTON “A” TEAM
CORRY; Parker, Jackson; Edwards, Chedgzoy, Lloyd, Worrall, Cunliffe, Davies, Fryer, and Sim. 

CHELSEA AT GOODISON PARK.
November 14 th 1931. Liverpool Post and Mercury
By John Peel.
We are promises a highly entertaining game at Goodison Park, where Everton will endeavour to maintain their successful home run at the expense of Chelsea, who have, this week, been reinforced by the acquisition of O'Dowd, the Burnley centre half-back. The Chelsea ranks too, will include, these highly skilled exponents Gallacher, and Jackson. Chelsea have not done well this season, but the London club feel that O'Dowd's inclusion will add the necessary power in the half-back line. Everton, no doubt, will find a very determined set of players in opposition, and the leaders must be on the top of their form to win. With so many international exponents on view, the exposition should prove of the highest quality. I anticipate a lively game, but I believe Everton will again prevail. The kick off is at 2-45, and the teams are; Sagar; Williams, Cresswell; Clark, Gee, Thomson; Critchley, White, Dean, Johnson, Dean. Chelsea; Millington; Odell, Law; Russell, O'Dowd, Carter, Jackson, Gallacher, Mills, Rankin, Crawford.

DIXIE DEAN EQUALS HIS BEST
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 14 November 1931
SCORES ALL FIVE GOALS AGAINST CHELSEA IN THE FIRST HALF
EVERTON FORWARDS SHARE LAURELS
By Stork
Everton; Sagar; Williams, Cresswell; Clark, Gee, Thomson; Critchley, White, Dean, Johnson, Stein.  Chelsea; Millington; Odell, Law; Russell, O’Dowd, Carter, Jackson, Gallacher, Mills, Rankin, Crawford.  Referee; Mr. W. Phipps, West Brom.  It is not often that one finds two teams  captained by members of the forward  line, but here was such an instance  to-day, for while Dean led Everton,  Chelsea were in charge of Alec Jackson.  The Jackson-Gallacher combine indulged in some finery which was good to look on but did not get Chelsea very far because of the fine play of Jock Thomson, who had "sensed" the run of the play. For just two minutes Chelsea held the boards, but there was no cannon fodder coming from their front line, whereas Everton's first advance brought a save by Millington from rather tame shot by White.
TWO FOR DEAN 
This was Everton's style—they wanted an early goal. They had been used to one, and it was forthcoming in exactly five minutes. It had its making when Clark passed the ball far forward. Law, the Chelsea full-back, expected Dean to stop and trap the ball, but them is nothing orthodox about the Everton man, who simply allowed the ball to pass him, followed it up, and issued a perfect long pass to Stein, standing on his own.  Straight away Dean moved to the side farthest away from Stein, and when the wing man made his centre it went straight to where Dean thought it would come, and, with a perfect header, Dean sent the ball well wide of Millington, to score a perfect goal.  The crowd rose to Dean like one man, and after a spell by Chelsea the same crowd went nearly frantic when Dean notched his second goal at the eighth minute.  It was another brilliant header, even more brilliant than the first goal, for when Johnson's pass came over.  Millington was standing close by, but Dean, with the side of his head, glanced the ball right away from the goalkeeper and into the net.  Two such perfect headers had not been seen for age yet, Dean came along with another just as clever, only this time the direction was not quite accurate. Dean's headwork had been the big feature so far, and although he was in an offside position he made another attempt, the ball striking the upright.  Of course, that attempt was of no earthly use, but it only went to show how deadly Dean was with his napper to-day. So far Chelsea had not tested Sagar. While there was football skill in the side, there was a lack of finish, but quite a lot of this was due to the defence of Everton.
A HEADY HAT-TRICK 
Everton were undoubtedly the predominating party, and when Dean got his third goal in fifteen minutes there was pandemonium around the ground, and it was not surprising, for such brilliant ball control, especially with the head, was uncommon.  When Critchley gave Dean his  chance, the Everton lender, nodding  the hall down instead of up, made difficulties for Millington, who could not  get across to prevent Dean's header  from striking the inside of the upright  and going into the net.  Here was a goal rush if you like.  It did not quite equal that of W. G.  Richardson's a week ago, but it was enough to satisfy anybody, and was even sufficient to make those standing the rain glad that they had taken the risk.  Just prior to this goal Millington had to pat down a hot drive by Stein after  good work on the part of Critchley, whose centre was just a shade too high for Dean.  Johnson's work throughout had been a joy, but for once in way a little slackness crept into the Everton’s defence, so that Sager had to sweep round his post a header by Mills. Again Sagar foiled the Chelsea forwards. Mills, who  had worked over towards his left hand,  tried his luck with a ground shot, and  at first glance the ball looked as if it  would beat Sager, but this live young  man dived full length and just got his  finger tips to edge it right across his  goalmouth and away for a corner. 
FOUR IN TWENTY-FOUR 
Gallagher came running in in the hope that he could retrieve the ball before it went dead, but was just a shade late.  The last time I saw Everton they scored nine goals, and the way they were heading to-day they looked quite capable of repeating the does.  Dean got his fourth goal at twenty-four  minutes—the fourth in nineteen  minutes—but it was Johnson who was mainly responsible, for it was following  his shot, which Millington appeared to  push out, that Dean was given his  chance, and it is interesting to note  that he scored this goal with his foot.  There were some people who said Dean was offside. If the ball came off Millington, as I thought it did, there was no argument as to the genuineness of the goal, and I neither saw nor heard a Chelsea appeal.  Jackson was too prone to dribbling.  He tried to crowd his way through, and this was rank folly, good player though he is, for he more often than not found too many guns for him, yet given the chance this famous shot shows what a match winner he could be.
EQUALLED HIS BEST 
Although badly angled, he gave Sagar a rare opportunity of showing what a grand little goalkeeper he is, for he had to treat Jackson's oblique shot with every care to turn it away from his goal.  It was almost straight from this that Everton went on to another goal, Dean bringing his score card up to five.  But  for this goal I will give the laurel, to  Critchley, for it was his massive drive  which rattled the crossbar and  rebounded into play, placing Dean in  an almost unassailable position.  This equalled Dean's best performance in scoring all five goals against Manchester United in October, 1927.  Dean had thus also equalled his five goals obtained against Sheffield Wednesday, with every prospect of adding to the number, for there was still the second half to look forward to, and with Everton in this mood anything could happen.
MILLS REDUCES 
Something did happen at the thirty-eighth minute, but it was not a something which had been anticipated, for Chelsea had given the onlookers very few heart-shakes with their attempts at scoring.  Captain Jackson looked really disconsolate  at his team's non-success, but  his winning smile came forth when he supplied the centre that brought his side their one and only goal up to the  interval. Both Sagar and Mills went for the ball together this forward just beating the goalkeeper to the punch.  At this point Everton had to rearrange their attack through an injury to Johnson, the inside man changing places with Stein. Dean got himself offside on a couple of occasions, and found  O'Dowd, who had decided that lying  well up did not pay against such a man as Dean, had fallen back to make a  third full back. The former player had a rough passage, but showed much good football when the ball was on the around.  Half-time.—Everton 5, Chelsea 1. 
SEVEN AGAINST CHELSEA
DEAN SCORES FIVE OF THEM
FOUR FINE HEADERS
MILLINGTON’S GOOD GAME IN GOAL
In the first half, Dean (5) and Milne scored. 
The teams did net leave the field at the interval and within five minutes of the restart Everton increased their bag of goals to six, Johnson, who had returned to his rightful position, beating Millington with a cross shot, which was much too strong and accurate for the Chelsea goalkeeper to attempt to save. I must mention that Dean played a big part in the making of this point.  One of Chelsea's best efforts at finding the target was made by full-back Odell, but I imagined he intended his big kick as a centre. In any case, Sagar made a clean catch.  Dean had another tilt at Chelsea, but for once in a way he could not find the right line. Chelsea were too fanciful,  yet when they made move forward the  Everton team, with the exception of  Dean and Critchley, all dropped back  into defence, so that the Chelsea  forwards could not find a way though.
AND THEN STEIN 
At the hour Chelsea suffered their seventh blow, and it was due to a misunderstanding on the part of O’ Dowd and Millington. The Chelsea goalkeeper pushed out an effort by Stein, and O'Dowd should have completed the clearance, but each left it to the other and Stein, who had followed up, took the ball from them and planted it safely in the net.  Odell tried another long shot which  swung yards away from goal, and when  Critchley tried to scoop up a centre so  that Dean could break his own record  of five goals scored against Manchester  United in October, 1927, and Sheffield  Wednesday a few weeks ago, Millington  made a smart catch and was cheered  for so doing.   Jackson looked as if he had given up the ghost, yet it was he who brought Sagar full length to keep the ball out of the Everton net. It was pitiful to see Chelsea over-dribbling when they should have known that the quick shot was the thing on such a day.  A forward pass by Gee, which put Dean through the backs, looked like giving Dean his sixth goal, but as he went to bit the ball the Everton centre got his foot clogged in the turf, so that Millington was able to come out at his leisure and clear.  The Chelsea goalkeeper, although he had been beaten seven times, put in some grand work at this point, and he made an astonishing save from Stein.  There was a spot of bother between Gallagher and Johnson, and the referee had to intervene before it was finally settled. It was immediately following this that Millington punched the ball on to the back of one of his own defenders, and was thus able to end a ferocious assault by the Everton attack.  Crawford was responsible for one of the few Chelsea shots, and he was not far off the mark, only six inches of space being visible between the sphere and the crossbar.  The Chelsea defense was nervous of Dean, and whenever the ball looked to be coming his way them were three men to challenge him.  Johnson and Dean between them carried the ball close in to the Chelsea goalmouth,  and just when everybody  anticipated another Dean goal Millington barred his way, although I must tell  you there was little pace behind Dean's  shot.  Five minutes from the end Chelsea  got a second goal,  Jackson, who had  closed in in anticipation of Crawford's  centre, cleverly glided the ball past  Sager. Just at the end Dean was right through again, but he was outside.  Final; Everton 7, Chelsea 2

STUD MARKS
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 14 November 1931
By Louis T. Kelly

WHISTON V EVERTON
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 14 November 1931
Whiston were having the best of matters, but were repeatedly thwarted by the Everton backs.  At the half-hour, Fryer scored for Everton.  Half-time; Whiston 0, Everton “A” 1. 

EVERTON 7 CHELSEA 2
November 16 th 1931. Liverpool Post and Mercury
Chelsea defence crumbles
Leader's brilliant play
Dean gets five in just over half an hour (33 minutes)
No interval was taken
Chelsea visit provided Everton with another sweeping victory by seven goals to two. The last three home games have thus been won by scores of 9-3, 8-1, and 7-1, a total of 24 goals against 6 –a truly wonderful performance of consistent scoring. Saturday's game will long be remembered as a personal triumph for Dean, who scored the first five goals in a manner that confirmed the view of these who regard him as the most efficient centre-forward of the day. The first three were headed, and in this category Dean is certainly in a class by himself.
Sweeping Passes.
Everton's success was the result of brilliant work well conceived and effectively carried through. Rarely did a forward hold the ball long enough to lose it. They drew the defence passed at the correct moment, and always moved towards their objective. With long sweeping passes frequently had the Chelsea defence in a tangle. Chelsea's plan was in direct contrast to Everton's. They hold the ball, made pretty movements, and generally finished by losing or misusing it after making little headway. It was not practical football, although at times it was attractive and good to watch, but against a strong forceful side such as Everton it was a policy that brought its own defeat. Early on it looked as though the understanding between Jackson and Gallacher would provide the Everton defence with a difficult problem. They worked well together and with grafty moves were fairly effective, but once Thomson and Cresswell found their bearings, the Chelsea right wing was quickly subdued. Indeed, long before the end the side as a whole was demoralized and outplayed.
Three in fifteen Minutes.
Dean scored three goals in the first fifteen minutes, and with the object of strengthening the defence O'Dowd became a third back, while the Everton forwards were often maneuvered into an offside position, but in spite of these tactics Everton were irrepressible. For most of the game it was good, bright football with Everton the dominant side and Chelsea struggling hard to make their pattern weaving effective, but with little success. Sagar had not a great deal to do, but twice in the first half he turned the ball cleverly round the post from shots by Mills, and altogether gave a safe display. Sound and resourceful were Williams and Cresswell, although Chelsea forwards were so well held by the Everton halves that the backs had a fairly easy day.
Formidable Half-Backs.
Clark, Gee, and Thomson made a strong and formidable line always difficult to pass effective in linking up with their own forwards, Dean's heading was a feature, and he missed few chances, especially when the ball came across head-high, while Johnson stood out as a great worker in a line that moved smoothly in a definite way. The Chelsea defence –never strong –broke under the terrific strain, while the wing half back were a source of weakness. O'Dowd did some good work, but he had to shoulder a task that was too difficult, besides having concerned with Millington in a mistake that gave Stein a goal. The forwards backed support, and would have done better by adopting more direct and practical methods. No interval was taken, Dean's five goals were scored in 4,8,15,24,and 33 minutes, while Mills scored at 38, Johnson at 50, Stein at 60, and Jackson at 85 minutes. Teams; Everton; Sagar, goal; Williams and Cresswell, backs; Clark, Gee, and Thomson, half-backs; Critchley, White, Dean (captain), Johnson, and Stein, forwards. Chelsea; - Millington, goal; Odell and Law, backs; Russell, O'Dowd and Carter, half-backs; Jackson, Gallacher, Mills, Rankin, and Crawford, forwards.

BOLTON WANDERERS RESERVES 5 EVERTON RESERVES 1
November 16 th 1931. Liverpool Post and Mercury
Central League (Game 14)
Everton were overwhelmed by a superior Bolton eleven, whose open game and incisive forward work compared strikingly with the Merseysiders, ineffective pattern weaving, Coggins, Bocking and Lowe had a gruelling experience and with Bolton's wingers in great form Everton's halves had to concentrate too much on defence. Dunn and Martin were Everton's best. Milson, Taylor, Wilson and Rimmer scored for Bolton and Reed for Everton. Everton; - Coggins, goal; Bocking and Lowe, backs; Britton, TP Griffiths and Archer, half-backs; Birkley, Dunn, Reed, Martin and Rigby, forwards
Whiston 0 Everton "A" 4
George Mahon Cup
Everton merited their victory at Whiston, where Fryer scored three times and Davies once. Whiston were handicapped through the early retirement of Attwood owing to shoulder injury. Corry kept goal splendidly for Everton, making several fine saves. Parker, Fryer, and Davies were other outstanding players. Morgan and Whitley were Whiston best players.

EVERTON SCORED 7 –THEN TOOK IT EASY.
November 16 th 1931. Evening Express.
Dean the genius of a crack forward line.
Poser for F.A. selectors.
By the Pilot.
"Dixie" Dean, the Everton centre-forward, who electrified the football world on Saturday by scoring five goals against Chelsea, and incidentally presented the international selectors with more food for profound thought, has averaged three goals a match in his last five games. Dean, however, is one genius in a line of brilliant goal-getting forwards. Charlie Gee, Everton's international centre half, said to me after the match; "Our wonderful attack won the game for us. They are a fine line and a real treat to play behind." Gee is right. It was mainly due to the inspired work of Dean and his colleagues that Chelsea were routed by seven goals to two. It was obvious to all that Everton adopted a sympathetic towards the Pensioners in the last half-hour and were content to remain in "second gear," when they might have piled on the score. Another, and more important reason for easing up was that both Dean and Johnson were suffering from slight injuries to ankles. The injuries were not serious, but just sufficient to make the men avoid risks. In this they acted wisely.
Speed and accuracy.
Everton played real championship football again. The speed and accuracy of their manceurves was phenomenal. They adopted the long, sweeping passes from wing to wing, delivered with the acme of perfection, and the entire machine weaved and wielded with a precision which was a sheer delight. Dean's personal achievement in scoring five goals in the first 32 minutes was marvellous. The manner in which he headed his first three points, and his opportunism on other occasions once more gave proof that he is the best centre of the age. We were shown that Dixie's delight is club football –Everton's football. I have never seen such heading as his, O'Dowd, Chelsea's new centre-half; shadowed him zealously, but not once did he beat Dean in a heading duel, and neither was he successful in any attempt to stop Dixie. No pivot could have held Dean in this game, so there is compensation for O'Dowd. Everton's attack was dynamic, and the Chelsea defence was powerless. Johnson, next to Dean, was the best forward on view. Thomson was the best half-back and has never tackled in more deadly fashion. He took the bite out of the Gallacher-Jackson wing, and artistic Cresswell did the rest. Clark had another good game, particularly in attack, and Gee was the sound pivot on which this mighty Everton machine revolved. Williams played with usual skill and fearlessness, and Sagar did many good things in goal.
Sports pie
•  Alan Grenyer, the former Everton player, has been appointed coach by North Shields, a North-Eastern League club.

DEAN THE TERROR 
Liverpool Echo - Monday 16 November 1931 
By Stork
What are we going to do about this  Everton team, this scoring machine,  which none seem capable of stopping,  and which is becoming the bane of  sporting pressmen? Must we call in the N.U.J., or have we to introduce comptometers into the press box to keep tally of the goals they score? One wag said they must be handicapped if opponents are to have any chance.   Their forward line must be sent off at  the interval or they must give a goal or  two start.  Everton are certainly causing a stir in the land of football, and visiting teams must view their coming engagements with fear in their hearts. Will they be the next to be placed on the chopping block? It would appear like it the way Everton are going about their business and smashing through defences as if they were cotton wool. They have not been beating poor material either, for Sheffield Wednesday, Newcastle, and Chelsea are strong in many places, but Everton at the moment are unstoppable.  There is no weakness; there is a shot in  every man jack of the forward line:  while further behind there is such  strength in both attack and defence that  one wonders how the opposition manage  to get a goal at all.  Chelsea did not play poorly; neither did they allow the onlookers to say it a one-sided game, for there was tough good football in the side, but unlike Everton, it was of an individual character. The worst thing of all from Chelsea standpoint was that there was no shooting, at least nothing as compared with what Everton supplied. Are there too many stars to the team? That is how its strike me. Individually there  were heads of skill, but collectively there was no balance, no link one with the other; so instead of having to watch five forwards Everton’s defence in most cases could take the man with the ball, knowing that he would attempt to dribble through on his own, and “get him” in the end. 
UNDER HIS THUMB 
Both Gallacher and Jackson attempted such things, whereas a joint plan would have served much better. This famous right-wing pair did demonstrate that  they could work the ball between them  but they did not keep on with it, so  many chances were frittered away when  one could reasonably anticipate a goal  if they had parted or struck a bow at a venture. Now, take Everton's way.  There was no excessive dribbling; just enough to make an opening or get away the pass. Then there was either a shot or a header, and consequently the prospect of a goal. Chelsea must have seen the result of this plan of campaign long before the interval, but they never altered their mode of play, and it fell crumbling to the ground.  Chelsea have scored twenty-one goals in fifteen and it is no wonder that Stamford Bridgeites are grumbling for the want of goals. Everton have scored twenty-four in their last three home matches. They showed Chelsea how to score goals, and perhaps the lesson will he of some value to them in the future; but while they continue with their excessive dribbling and too close passing they cannot hope to get into the news through their goal - scoring escapades. Jackson scored a neat point  late on, and Mills beat Sagar; and even  Odel the full back, tried to beat Sagar  from forty or fifty yards out? Dean soon had the Chelsea defence under his thumb, and he took five goals in nineteen minutes, and I don't ever desire to see two more perfect headers than his first two goals. The first was a good one, but the second—well, it was miraculous how he obtained it. for  he had to beat Millington's hands,  which were flung out to stop the ball, but Dean safely glided it away from  those hands when it seemed impossible to do so. Dean was bewildering with that famous head of his—his three opening goals came from it—and all in fifteen minutes. And when he had scored his fifth before the interval I saw great prospects of him breaking the record, and he should have done so in the second half, but a limp prevented him, so Johnson and Stein carried on the scoring from that point. 
O'DOWD'S DEBUT 
Naturally the game was one big triumph for Dean, but the others played their part, and I liked the way Johnson ran up and down between the forward line and half-back line to issue forth picture passes. Then Stein and Critchley were too good for the Chelsea defenders, particularly the wing half backs. What a difference there was here. Thomson's first half display against Gallagher and Jackson was brilliant, and Clarke all through was the outstanding half-back. Then Cresswell  and Williams were far and away  in front of O'Dell and Law, who  received a terrible trouncing, and it was  not to be wondered at that they were scared stiff of Dean.  O'Dowd started in an attacking mood, but to stem the tide fell back, but even then he could never “find” Dean, who out-maneuvered him, as he has done so many pivots this season. Still, O’Dowd did not play at all badly, but he will not readily forget his debut for Chelsea.

EVERTON'S HALF-CENTURY
November 17 th 1931. Liverpool Post and Mercury
By John Peel.
Everton's fifty-one goals, have been obtained in fifteen games and registered by seven players. Of this total Dean has contributed nineteen, ten of which he obtained in two games against Sheffield Wednesday and Chelsea, whilst the other goals have been obtained by Johnson (10), White (8), Critchley and Stein (5 each), Dunn (3), and Griffiths (p) (1). If Everton's attack continued to show such deadly marksmanship during the remainder of the season, then there is every likelihood if a new "Goals for" record.

EVERTON UNCHANGE
November 18 th 1931. Liverpool Post and Mercury
Everton, go to Grimsby, on Saturday, with the team which upset Chelsea, on form Everton ought to win, but I have no doubt the players will not be without remembrance of that debacle at Goodison Park, when Robson shot the club, as it were, into the second division, Everton have an opportunity here of paying off an old debt, but no doubt Grimsby will lay themselves out to stop, if possible, the League gallop. The Goodison park team is Sagar; Williams, Cresswell; Clark, Thomson; Critchley, White, Dean, Johnson, Stein. The Reserve team to meet Stoke City, at Goodison Park is; Coggins; Bocking, Lowe; McClure, T. Griffiths, Archer; Grififths, Dunn, Martin, Fryer, Rigby.

WHY EVERTON ARE WINNING
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 18 November 1931
Bee’s Notes
POUNDS OUT 
Everyone is seeking for the remedy of the Everton Football Club tonic.  They of the South who talk of good half-backs must forget that at the beginning of the season they told us Clark, of Luton was not good, and would be out of the team in a month.  Clark is one of the reasons for Everton’s rise to top place. There are down reasons why Everton have graded from Second Division championship to possible First Division championship.  When they went out of the First Division they were a nerve-wracked side. They played good football; it did not count because one goal against them seemed to put them to slumber.  They had no heart, no confidence, no belief in colleen members; the right wing transformation scene was juggled with in a way Cinquevalli must have envied. They never let some players  fall; the best player, Critchley, merely  dropped in and out at the call of the  juggler, to say " Present, air "  People who came from other towns  and saw an off day on the part of Dean  seemed to imagine be had no right to  have an off day, any day, any season.  They poured out these tears; they said how pitiful it was that this young man should have lost all his form. Still, the Goodison Park spectator watched him and knew his form was unapproachable; he was still what I had termed the best header of a ball the world of football had known, and he was still the best centre forward. They said Opportunist “when he got his 60 goals; they said “Failure “when he was unable to keep his international caps going. At Hampden, a year ago, an angel could not have played a goodish game; the rest of the team simply did not lend itself towards good football. Dean does not want the entire ball; he just wants football; and in his own side he can get a working arrangement for pretty, effective, and, at times, stunningly-successful football.
OTHER REASONS 
Let as run through the means by which Everton have topped the League thus far.  Infinite confidence horn of a lot of successes in the Second Division. People said they would need to change their style; they did not change their style.  They have since changed their turf, and the result is the players know a good pass will reach its mark, and not clog in the sea mud that was the other of the last four years.  Then the playing of Cresswell at fullback was another feature. Yes, at full-back. At times the critic was inclined to say, " Old is the word."  O'Donnell left the club in the lurch and, trying to shield himself when tackled by Mr. Chairman Cuff that he had put the club to the cost of buying a new full-back, said, “Well, Warney can play left  back just as easily as right back." Mr. Cuff was vexed and told the player that he would take dictation from no player —but his memory was good, and Cresswell in due course was brought to left back for the first time in his life.  And what a huge success that accidental change has made; he crosses to the right wing to aid Williams or takes up the Welshman's post as Ben begins to go up the field. Sagar adds his electric touch--and torch—he saves so quickly that he dives to a ball almost too soon-before it is shot.  At half back, Clark's big height and  steady play has been a factor; Gee's  working of the ball and ninety minutes'  revelry—he enjoys every minute of play  —plus Thomson's fine scheming with  the forwards is a further "reason."  Thomson was signed from Dundee in a sort of “take it or leave it manner."  The club HAD to get a half-back. The board was divided as to whether this was the right man. Time fled by them, and they eventually took him “almost against their own judgment and will."  He, like Troup, has been one of the greatest signings the club has made. In the forward line we have need to bunch the five together and say “That’s that."  Every man helpful; White's size and up-stance has been a great factor. He gets goals, and he get in the way of the defender who would try to pass by to tackle Critchley. Some body-interruption this White business.  Throughout all the suggestions and praise to the team let me remark that much of the team's success has been due to one cause:
WOULD HAVE IT IN MARBLE
Bravo, Dixie!  Bravo, Dixie!! What glorious fare just now, says Mr. George L. Vaughan of Willaston.  I wonder if you remember my letter before the relegation days in which I voiced my opinion that the then players were all right and only wanted confidence and leadership, and perhaps you will recollect my little cynicism that Dixie could, but didn’t play football, and just wanted a “Bee” in his pants to liven things up (now the bee is in the bonnets of the opposing centre halves).  However, this is not the object of my writing you.  As a matter of fact, I have fallen for the photograph of Dixie in Saturday’s Football Echo, I personally think it is a wonderful attitude, so full of grace and ability, and yet methinks it is rather old or rather not quite so recent a snap, and out of this I wish to make a suggestion, and it is this.  Why not have some good prints taken of it and sold at a figure to cover the cost, and also to make a contribution to the Goodfellow Fund.  I am sure Dixie would be pleased to autograph the original.  His ability naturally won’t last forever and I think I am correct in saying there are many like myself who would like some tangible proof to substantiate the prowess of this natural yet wonderful footballer.  I am not given t5o “hero worship,” but if I was a director of the club I should have the snap converted into marble.  If you like my idea of the photographers pass it on; one can talk to you about ideals without feeling there’s a snub coming.  Well, here’s luck o Everton, and revenge for that one goal defeat by West Bromwich, at Manchester, when this team coms to Goodison.  It’ll be the game of the year. 
ENGLAND SAFE
THEY SAY John Bull is dying,
And that our day is done.
They say the pound is falling,
And that our race is run.
But list; take heel, my brethren.
There’s hope for England now,
For Dixie Dean and Everton
Will beat the foe, I trow.
THE PIXIE
Dixie the prize.
You look awfully sweet
Walking down High-Street
In a suit trim and neat
But when on the field
You score goals by the score.
Your opponents they call you
Something worse than a bore
THE SCORER
O Dixie Dean
You are no queen
Of that there is no doubt
But at scoring goals for Everton
You’re an emperor out and out
S.M
I don’t think Everton team, and especially Dixie, are treating the visiting teams to fair play.  The games are far too one-sided, and I suggest that Everton give the other side six goals start, so as to make the games far more exciting.  Nough Z. Dick Bangor
FROM DIXIE
A “Dixie chorus” that might have been sung during the first half of the Everton match, says “Mee”;-
And they re two we’re all delighted to see.  We’re pleased to meet you; we’re here to greet you.  And of course, you, too, Number Three.
One, two, three, now are there any more?
Please tell Mr. Millington I’m Number Four.
And then a swift one; in sailed the fifth one.
Singing, “I’m from Dixie, too!” 

ENGLAND 3 WALES 1
November 19 th 1931. Liverpool Post and Mercury
Three Caps for Evertonians.
Gee play for England, Johnson was a Reserve4, and Williams and Tom Griffiths for Wales, in front of 20,000 spectators. At half-back England had a newcomer in Gee, and he had the benefit of following one paltry display by Graham against the Scottish league. So that the task was made rather early for him, while he never touched his club from brilliance he certainly did sufficient to give him a selectors vote for the next international, in fact, he has only to make one really outstanding display to be England's chosen for years. He suffered by comparison with Tom Griffiths, the man he keeps in the Reserve team at Everton, because Griffiths was the outstanding man of the game. Griffiths was better than usual with his passes and brilliant in his tackles. Griffiths, went though more work than any other member of either side, and he chased everything. Nothing was too much trouble for him to tackle and to generally came out to the duels with the ball at his toe, a virile and brilliant day's work. Williams played well.

ENGLAND NEED DEAN
November 19 th 1931. Evening Express.
And most likely Johnson as well.
By Ijay.
England beat Wales by three goals to one at Anfield, after Robbins had given Wales the lead. Dean is almost certain to return, and I am inclined to believe that Johnson will get the inside-left berth with Houghton (Aston Villa) at his partner.
Everton's big Share
The man of the match was Griffiths, Everton's reserve centre half back, who inspired Wales. It is amazing to think that Everton have two centre half-backs of such quality. Here was a man whose talent is hidden in central League football, yet who gave one of the greatest internationals displays seen for many years. A tower of strength in defence, Griffiths always had an eye on the pass to send his own forwards away. Some of his passes to Phillips and Cook were made with astounding accuracy. Gee too, was a fine pivot, but the day's play was not so outstanding as his club mate. Ben Williams compared favorably with Blenkinsop and Cooper. His tackling was finger like and his kicking clean at all times. It was a great day for the Everton club, whose three representative's certainty carried off the main honours.

EVERTON TO MEET ARMY TEAM
November 20 th 1931. Liverpool Post and Mercury
By John Peel.
Everton's follows are to have the chance of seeing the Blues in opposition to the Army Football team. It is no new thing for the Army to their strength and craft against First Division clubs, for they have at times given quite a number amounting them, giving Aston Villa a very good game, it will however, be the first meeting with the present leaders. It had been hoped to play the match early on the new year, but certain reasons prevented this. The match, however, will be played on Wednesday April 6.

EVERTON'S PROCESS OF GOAL-TAKING
Liverpool Echo - Friday 20 November 1931  
Bee’s Notes
Everton had been so used to the mud of Flanders and Goodison Park, that they enjoyed it. It kept them pacing with the fastest of players. People said they were mud larks, and the ground was not a fair proposition; they said games should not bare been played there in some rainy circumstance, Then Everton got a new carpet of grass, and the people said, " and the new turf has caused this change in the Everton side; they make a pass, and, depend upon it, it reaches its intended mark.  Theorising, my friends. We go to Grimsby to-morrow knowing that we shall be acting upon a mud swamp.  Grimsby holds the dirt so—just like your son, father! We shall be able to see whether Everton can overcome this difficult but not impossible task. It will be a test, if only for the remembrance that Grimsby do their best against the best, and that their position is such to-day that they must win home games or go out of the First Division. It is going to be a great business this Everton treasure hunt, and people the  country over will he looking hard to  see how many, and who scored them, and what club can stop this goal-machine!  Perhaps the machine can only be clogged by the excessively heavy turf—such as to-morrow's ground offers.  However, do not think I am pessimistic.  Everton have such confidence in themselves and their new ways of attacking that they believe they can win. And I’M with them in that belief, as also in the saloon! The team is unchanged; the confidence is there; the ability is there.  Everton; Sagar; Williams, Cresswell; Clark, Gee, Thomson; Critchley, White, Dean, Johnson, Stein. 

EVERTON SHOULD "SALT" GRIMSBY
November 20 th 1931. Evening Express.
Team which sealed Relegation Fate
By the Pilot.
Everton have an old score to rub off when they visit Grimsby Town tomorrow. In their last League engagement with Everton, at Goodison Park, the Fishermen set the seal on the Blues' relegation fate by winning 4-2. With the team, which has carried them to the head of the table with a brilliant run since September 26, I expect Everton to win, and so consolidate their position at the head of the table. In the past two seasons the clubs have met on three occasions, and the balance of success lies with the Blues. When Everton visited Blundell Park that season they won by three clear goals, but wonderful shooting by Robson, now with Huddersfiweld, brought Grimsby revenge when they came to Walton. Last season the clubs met in the F.A. cup 5 th round and Everton won a stern match five goals to three. Form gives little information regarding tomorrows clash. This is it' Arsenal 3 Everton 2; Grimsby 3, Arsenal 1; Grimsby 1 Chelsea 2; Everton 7 Chelsea 2.
To study these results brings one to a dead end, but if we glance at the recent performances of the two clubs one must arrive at the conclusion that Grimsby will be powerless to stop Everton's wonderful scoring machine. Grimsby have won four of their home games, and lost three, while their away "bag" is a single point compared with seven defeats, they are second from bottom on the league table, being a point ahead of Blackpool. The going is certain to be heavy, but this should suit the Blues, who have only to persist in their open methods of attack to win two more points. Teams; Everton; Sagar; Williams, Cresswell; Clark, Gee, Thomson; Critchley, White, Dean, Johnson, Stein. Grimsby Town; Read; Wilson, Jacobson; Priestly, Betmead, Buck; Prior, Bestall, Coleman, Cooper, Marshall.
Advertising in Evening Express.
Central League match at Goodison park tomorrow (Saturday) Everton v Stoke City, Kick off 2-30 p.m. Admission 6d. Boys 3d. Stands extra, including tax.

GEE, A DOUBTFUL STARTER.
November 21 st 1931. Liverpool Post and Mercury
Everton go to Grimsby, where they are expected to maintain their winning record, but Grimsby Town, situated as they are on the bottom steps of the ladder, are sure to make a bold bid to lower the leaders colours. I understand Gee is suffering from slight rheumatism and may not play. In that event, Griffiths, who traveled as reserve, will take his place. Teams; Sagar; Williams, Cresswell; Clark, Gee or Griffiths, Thomson; Critchley, White, Dean, Johnson, Stein. Grimsby; Read; Wilson, Jacobson; Priestley, Betmead, Buck; Prior, Bestall, Coleman, Cooper, Marshall.

WHITE’S PENALTY AT GRIMSBY
Liverpool Echo- Saturday, November 21, 1931. 
EVERTON’S HARD-WON LEAD IN EXCITING GAME
LEADER’S MARCH INCLUDES SWITERLAND
By Bee
Everton; Sagar; Williams, Cresswell; Clark, Gee, Thomson; Critchley, White, Dean, Johnson, Stein.  Grimsby Town; Read; Wilson, Jacobsen; Priestley, Betmead, Buck; Bestall, Coleman, Cooper, Fielding.  Referee; Mr. Fardell, West Bromwich. 
Everton go on their way rejoicing they had feared that Gee, their centre half-back and their new international, would not be able to play at Grimsby.  He had suffered some suggestion of rheumatism.  He looked very glum yesterday, but by this morning he had revived considerably, and the deputy, Tom Griffiths, was not called into the game. McPherson was also present in case of emergency.  Talking of substitutes the club has taken serious thought of an emergency act. The chairman. Mr. Cuff, thought it wise to consider the possibility of the goalkeeper, Sagar, being damaged, and this week a member of the side will be chosen to act as second goalkeeper in case Sager is injured during the course of the game.  It is worth recording that Everton's fame has gone before them. They have to-day received a communication from Switzerland regarding a tour in a country that players and officials and myself enjoyed in the championship year. It is not possible to say whether the offer will be accepted or not, but I should imagine the offer will attract all parties, and that acceptance will follow in due course.  The local people of Grimsby were very keen to see this game. They looked upon it as a gift for return, which was bad reckoning, because no game is a gift these days.  The ground was surprisingly good. It had one very wet patch, but for the rest it was well-nigh perfect, and very different from the ground that was soaked when we were here two years.  Grimsby made changes that were debated. They brought in Buck too early, it was said, and to try young Betmeed, the 19-year-old, at centre-half, was asking for trouble, said others. But Grimsby was bathed in sunshine today, and the promise of a record gate was rife, so that Grimsby was very much all alive-o. The fisherfolk believe they play better against the top side, and this was their main hope.  Everton kicked off, and the early passes did not reach their men.  There were two attempts by Johnson that were smothered, but there was an ease about the early work that suggested a comforting game. Jock Thomson made the first able attempt to form combination, and it led to nought because a free kick near the touchline was granted to Grimsby.  The crowd was under 20,000 strong, and was keeping a lone, silent watch until mused by a delayed kick by Gee that led to the ball spinning towards Sagar, who caught safely although it came awkwardly to him.  There was a rather nasty accident when the Everton right wing had made ground and had centred for Dean to pass by a header towards his left wing.  Cresswell sliced a ball and, in trying to recover himself, his boot connected with the head of Coleman. He was injured, but not sufficiently to stop play for any length of tame.  There followed an extraordinary goalmouth incident. The ball was crossed  by Prior, and no one was paying any  special attention to Fielding, who tried  to drag the centre across the goal-line,  only to find Ben Williams cut across  and smother the ball.  This was a save, a shock, and a great performance by Williams, because nothing else could have stopped the opening goal. Cooper later on was going through when grassed by Gee.  Bestial tried to squeeze through by means of intricate dribbling, but could not find an avenue, whereas Everton now  began to move off by fine passing movements,  steady and without haste, and  Clerk eventually wound up with a brilliant shot far out, but a worthy  shot nevertheless.  “You’ll not get seven to-day," said the shouting man of the Stand.  Everton.,  however, were finding their feet  gradually and surely, and offside was  the only spoliation of a good right wing  pairing, where Critchley's speed cost  him a free kick against good play.  Fielding dropped the ball on to the top netting, and Dean, against two men, made fair use of his body to get the defence wobbly. 
A WHITE PENALTY 
Fielding also came into prominence by the way he fell back to stem Clark’s further notion of shooting. Grimsby’s defense began to quake at this point, yet so far there had been no shot except that of Clark.  Everton took the lead at this moment, the fourteenth minute. Critchley raced round his defender and gave him seven yards to consider the race in which he had no chance.  Critchley then beat another defender and went right up towards goal before lobbing the ball. Betmead handled.  Some said he could not have done so intentionally, because he had no time to think of such an intention.  The referee was on the spot and at once ordered a penalty kick. White scored and Grimsby were sore. They said “You can do nothing right when you are down."  Everton could second that notice of motion. Grimsby fought back, and a pass-back by Gee, instead of a safety pass upwards, led to Coleman being presented with an unusual chance. He shot hard, and Sagar made a great save s at the foot of the post, but a moment later Sagar fumbled the ball, and only picked it off the line at the attempt, when players were crowding round him.  Grimsby were upset and a tribe unnerved by the penalty kick happening, and one hoped that this goal would not be sufficient to win the game.  Grimsby got three off side decisions against them that bothered them, and their next move was by means of Judicious ground passing. Buck and Cooper played particularly well, and Dean had so far bed no shot.  He got away with a handling came that was plain to most of the spectators, and later did much better when he back-headed a ball that went to Stein. Just a faint chance, but Stein took the angled shot and sent the ball over the bar- a capital try.  Johnson's persistence in winding the ball out to Critchley was the essence of good play, and kept the game open, however, centered too strong and too far over the bar after outpacing Wilson with ease.  Everton passed and repassed with seeming ease. The referee got right into the bad books of the crowd when he stopped a corner kick being taken by Critchley so that he could inform a policeman of something that had happened at the back of the Grimsby goal the crowd shouted at the referee for lone spells, and a raucous voice asked.  “Where’s your mother, ref.?"  Williams did a brilliant thing and slipped up in his beck-heel effort, but Cresswell was there taking stock of what might be and what could be. A free kick against Williams was prospective, but Coleman committed an offence without punishment.  A suggestion was made that the game would as a consequence set out of hand.  One hoped not, for the sake of two sporting sides.  Priestley threw the ball many yards, and after Cresswell had been grassed, a free kick against Gee made the crowd yell, as this was their first real award. The game had gone half an hour, and Dean had had no chance.  A free kick against White led to a hand-over move by Sager, and from this corner the ball was headed in, and when it touched the post from Coleman close in, there was much excitement.  The fear was a goal, but actually there was little save excitement in the incident.  The game had not been good. It had too many free kicks. Gee passed too means, and Fielding, angled, could not get the ball down to his liking.  Prior made a hot cross shot for Sagar, who caught the ball and used his body as a safeguard.  Gee was playing extremely well just now, saving a corner and providing Dean with a chance to show off his heady play. A pass out to Critchley brought except praise and surprise that a man could be so accurate with a long pass. Half-time.—Grimsby nil. Everton 1. 
EVERTON WIN, BUT
THIS WAS NOT THEIR GREAT FORM
ABSENCE OF GOALS
PENALTY KICK HELPS THEM TO VICTORY
Everton were thankful for a victory to-day. They won by the aid of a penalty kick and Grimsby’s forward line making mistakes with easy chances.  The game was poor, and Everton never caught their goal machinery scheme. It was one of their most moderate displays.  Once Grimsby equalized, Everton want right away to take the lead in less than one minute, but there ended the lesson.  Sagar's two saves of might meant everything in a game where there was little Shooting. 
In the first half White scored from a penalty. Grimsby could blame themselves for not taking a goal or two.  Prior missed a very easy chance in one minute's play, and this was not his first offence.  Everton had not been themselves in the first, and one looked for an improvement and more deadliness in place of the ultra-passing movements which had brought them nowhere. Cooper added to Grimsby's miss, after Cresswell had headed out skillfully.  Williams also joined in the safe tackling, and his clearance was strong and well directed. Grimsby could not get moving, and Everton had lost all touch with their centre-forward, who up to this stage had walked through the game with no chance, no effort, and no hope.  Grimsby's defence was rugged and strenuous, and their goalkeeper often cut out the centre that came his way so rarely. Johnson brought out his long pass specialty, and Critchley's centre meant nothing to his comrades, as it became a header from Jacobson.  Cresswell beat his former Sunderland comrade. Prior, with ease, and with the Grimsby forwards wretched in front of goal, and Everton's unable to collect themselves together, the game became very drab.  Stein brightened it with trickery, and then delayed his centre to make a corner, from which White shot very near. Dean at long last got a pass from Stein, and took pot luck with that went towards the far post and crept outside. Dean a second time was on view with a stern header, and at this point Prior got away, and Everton were indeed lucky to escape the equaliser.  Sagar came through the ball in his grasp—a marvel of keen sight and daring. Moreover, Sagar saved the best shot of the match from Priestly, but this Priestley had on good companions. It was the one bright shooting effort of the day. Grimsby were now hot on the trail.  Prior was close with a low shot, to which Sagar went down rather late.  Stein centred when he should have shot from Dean's head pass. Dean, in vexation, shot outside with a ball that struck his swinging arm and thus brought a brake action on the shot. 
PRIOR. THEN STEIN 
Right away went Grimsby, and the whole forward line movement led to a goal. Prior scoring from close in. A well-got goal.  This was in twenty-fire minute, but Everton went ahead again. Williams made a huge punt and Dean headed the  ball, a mere flicker, but it sufficed to  turn the ball towards Stein, whose long  high lob was going into goal, when  Priestley tried to stem its way and only  served to help it further into the net.  Gee saved a certain goal when Sagar had left his goal open. This was excitement, but real football was absent.  Final; Grimsby Town 1, Everton 2

STUD MARKS
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 21 November 1931
By Louis T. Kelly

EVERTON RES V STOKE RES
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 21 November 1931
Ideal conditions and a lively opening with the Stoke keeper saving from Martin, and the visitors snapping a goal at the fourth minute, Taylor scoring when Everton’s defence failed to break a combined burst down the centre.  Five minutes later Rigsby, with a perfect screw shot, equalised, and then the home goal somewhat luckily survived a Stoke onslaught.  The football on both sides were extremely good, but Everton were the superior tacticians in combined efforts.  Beswick saved from Fryer, and Martin with a delightful overhead kick scored Everton’s second goal.  Coggins saved from McDade, and Maloney and Beswick cleared brilliantly from Dunn.  Fryer scored Everton’s third goal.  Half-time; Everton Res 3, Stoke Res 1.

GRIMSBY TOWN 1 EVERTON 2
November 23 rd 1931. Liverpool Post and Mercury.
Everton scrape Through.
Leaders' Poorest Display for a Month.
By "Bee."
Everton won at Grimsby. That is about all they did. The goal-making machine broke down; there was an absence of successful shooting; and it appeared that the crammed ground at Grimsby was against the style of Everton, who are not used to having the stands standing sentinel upon them, nor yet the crowd bordering on the touchline. To take the lead by the aid of a penalty kick was not exactly convincing, although the centre put across by Critchley was so good and followed two fine spurts of individual brilliance that the centre must have been full of danger. There was a handling case, of that there could be no doubt, but the question was one of intent. The referee was on the spot. He ordered a penalty kick, and there was hardly any complaint from the home players. However, that was not a nice way of taking the lead, and when Grimsby not level they well earned the possibility of a half.
Stein's Goal.
For thirty seconds they held that equality and then a hugh bump away by Williams turned the ball into a goal that had members spread-eagled and overjoyed-possibly unsettled. Dean had no chance during the day, so that he was glad to follow up this half chance –and his slight header gave Stein the opportunity to go through with a lofted shot that entered the top portion of the goal. This one though, would bring Everton to their normal standard of play, but no, they continued in their curiously uneven strain, and the forwards had practically no shot at read all day. It was an eventful match, if only for the fact that the great goal-getting had suddenly found themselves cramped and confined. They had no heart for a shot and they were easily taken off their final stroke by a rugged defence and a pivot of nineteen years of age, who a year ago was porter on a neighbouring village station. He learned his football on the cinder tracks around the ground. Grimsby are right in saying that he played a sterling game for one so young, but it would be wise to say that Everton wingers played into his hands, and Dean can hardly ever have suffered such a blot out –he simply wasted his time looking for passes that did not come.
Lucky To Win.
Everton were very lucky to win this game even if one grants that Grimsby contributed to their own downfall by their utter inefficiency in front of goal. Prior had chances to win the game with ease. He shot always to the right hand side. In fact Grimsby's best shot came from Priestley, the half-back, Sagar making a grand save. It is not too much to say that Sagar made the spectacular saves when all hope had left the Everton followers present. Sagar came out of a bunch of players with the ball and that bit of fortune that makes the difference between conceding a goal and saving one. Grimsby were not so artistic in their measure of pass as the leaders of the League, yet Everton made no impression because the passing movement broke down at the crucial time through a faulty touch of the boot or head. The work leading up to that point was good, cool, collected; then it faded away through a puerile effort.
White off Colour.
White in particular, could not find definiteness in front of goal and showed a sign of slowness. Critchley suffered therefore, as also Dean. Johnson's best work was his persistent plying of the right-wing –fine judged long, cross-field passes. Here again there was an absence of shot. Stein did many close things ably, but he centred when he should have shot, because Stein is part of the goal-shooting machine and he ought to have relished his chance to shoot instead of swerving the ball across the face of the goal. No, this was not the real Everton; this was a poor imitation of the firm's best intentions and football combination. Perhaps Grimsby were too rugged for the opposition; whatever it was it can be stated without contradiction that Grimsby should have won this game with a goodly margin. And they beat themselves. Everton had got into an excess-pass-mood; the half-backs called up the full back far too often. There was a draughtboard movement at root, but the "men" were being moved about the board to no purpose. The delay was merely eating up Everton's territory, where Cresswell and Williams were being put to needless work.
A lesson.
Everton will no doubt learn the lesson of this game. They can afford to take no side lightly; they can afford to tale no more than the necessary number of passes before the shot is delivered, and they can thank Grimsby for having failed to provide a case of the victorious bottom dog over the team that has been smashing its way through all oppositions. On the losing side Priestley played a hard game; the centre half-back boy has been named, and Bestall was too, flincky to be successful, while Coleman lacked the dash in and a shot. Fielding was best till half-time and at full back both men did themselves well, although Everton played into their hands a good deal. Everton's fortune was centred in the knowledge that when Grimsby shot best Sagar made the side safe by superlative efforts . Teams; Everton; - Sagar, goal; Williams and Cresswell, backs; Clark, Gee, and Thomson, half-backs; Critchley, White, Dean (captain), Johnson, and Stein, forwards. Grimsby Town; - Read, goal; Wilson and Jacobson, backs; Priestley, Betmead, and Buck, half-backs; Prior, Bestall, Coleman, Copper and Fielding, forwards. Referee Mr. Fardell, West Bromwich

EVERTON RESERVES 7 STOKE CITY RESERVES 2
November 23 rd 1931. Liverpool Post and Mercury
Central League (Game 15)
Everton throughout played sparkling football, and, although Stoke tried desperately hard to break the brilliant combination of the home attack, they experienced great difficulty in encouraging a front line that worked the ball with admirable precision. The City started well, with Taylor scoring an early goal, but Rigby equalised and then Martin and Fryer added further first half goals. Coggins made two brilliant clearances from McDade and Taylor, but after the interval Everton set up a constant series of trustful attacks. Fortunately Beswick kept a brilliant goal. Dunn, who was exceedingly elusive, scored the fourth goal and Martin who had played splendidly constructive football throughout, completed a hat-trick with three more Everton goals. Taylor scored Stoke's second goal. Everton; - Coggins, goal; Bocking and Lowe, backs; McClure, TP Griffiths, and Archer, half-backs; PH Griffiths, Dunn, Martin, Fryer, and Rigby, forwards.
Everton "A" 6 Southport Park Villa 0
Liverpool County Combination
At Stopgate-lane. Everton were the nippier side, Davies missed two easy chances before Leyfield open the score for Everton. Bradley made a good effort to equalise, and the home goal later was saved when Parker kicked away off the line. Cunliffe scored again, for Everton from a penalty before the interval. The home side continued to have most of the game, after the resumption and despite a good display by Bradshaw further goals for Everton were netted by Worrall, Leyfield, Cunliffe and G. Davies.

EVERTON GET A SHUCK AND SURPRISE
Liverpool Echo - Monday 23 November 1931
GRIMSBY BEAT THEMSELVES
EVERTON’S CRABBED AND CRAMPLD PLAY
Bee’s Notes
Everton are not without thoughts of thankfulness to day. They realise quite well that it would be folly to think the form they showed at Grimsby would carry them to the honours list. I think it was a passing phase. First, it may  have been the sight of " The Ghost  Train "; second, it may have been  the cramped condition of Grimsby’s  ground with its crowd practically on top  of the playing field; third, it may have  been an expectancy that, they must get  a bagful of goals. Whatever it was, this was not the real Everton, and the players and officials are wire in their generation if they forget. the result as soon as possible and begin to play afresh  with a new thought for the morrow and  a thank you to the good people of  Grimsby who put up such a stalwart  display, and only failed in front of goal.  Everton failed in front of goal too, but not in the same manner. Grimsby, for instance, would take the ball up to the defence area and look to be in for collection of goals. They shot, badly; they had lost confidence; they played like the Everton forwards of two years ago when confidence was gone, and the boot seemed shy to take the risk of a shot. Grimsby are funny that way just now. Prior hits them all to the right-hand side, and Coleman. covered by Gee, was always worrying through, Sagar came through a sort of tunnelling  task with the ball in his grasp—not once  nor twice, but three times. And each time the Everton followers had given up the train of thought, knowing that a goal was deserved and should be there.  Sager saved us. 
BLAME THEMSELVES 
Everton's faulty forward work was due to the side being altogether out of its ordinary ravishing manner. They gave Read no shot all day, save the penalty shot. Think of the victory this way, and you will get the right perspective of this game. . Everton scored with a penalty kick, shot No. 1. Grimsby scored through an all-round and all-in movement, Prior finishing the task. Instantly Everton scored a leader through a huge punt by Williams, through a spread-eagled defence “not being ready," through Dean applying his heady touch, and through Stein lofting the ball. That was the day ‘scoring. Now, on the one hand, you have Read empty-handed and Sagar’s fingers tingling. Sager got his catch and his body to work to stem three brilliant shots—the best from Priestley. It is no use holding an inquest upon the Grimsby body except to see where our own faultiness lay. I  think Everton had got into a wrong  thought; they had begun to think they  were going to win all matches by the  outrageous margins, and their task was  simplified, whereas they ought to know  that all teams are anxious to take them  from their perch,  and every game now  becomes a cup final tie. Grimsby certainly contributed to their own downfall—that is their concern. They did not play at all badly for the most part:  they merely collapsed in front of goal with easy chances.
A CUTTING CRITICISM 
Gee saved one certain goal; Thomson saved two. Add the Williams and Cresswell work, which was of a very heavy order, and tack on to the Sagar saves, and the reader has got the right balance of this rather scrappy tame in which Dean had two passes all day, one header, one shot:  his main work consisted of hitching up his trousers in that peculiar way he has, Everton lost their way and befogged themselves through excess of  pass where none was needed The half-back has a right to pass back to the full-back if the face is toward one's  own goal—not otherwise. In this game the call to the backs was abundant.  'They answered nobly, but tactically it was a blunder. Then there were times when Gee adopted a nonchalant air as though any odd moment would do. He missed his pass, yet at other times when the fire lighted his way none could equal him. He had not the consistency of Thomson nor the challenging method of Clark.  In attack Dean has been named.  Johnson's passes to Critchley were ideal: there was little else from the inside left, however, and consequently, with White in sluggish, slowish mood and without a shot of note, neither wing men had a good chance to shine.  Stein is developing his close dribbling; but so great a driving force near goal should not pull his centres square when a chance of shooting is his: the joy of a drive from the goal-tee should be self-evident.  Critchley rarely made a mistake, and in speed, tactics, and general football skill he was perhaps Everton’s best raider. But the whole team found itself confined to small space against a team that had relegation fears written over its face. That meant there was stern challenge for the ball, and Grimsby in front of goal were utterly without dependence.  Gardner, of Liverpool, was looking on.  He has done very well there. Others looking on were the Cartwright trinity, who always frequent the ground when a Merseyside audience is on view. They have great charm and much enthusiasm for the city of their earlier lite sod their future hopes. Mr. Cartwright is remembered in the city of Liverpool for his business acumen.  He is an ardent friend of both our football teams.  Would that he had been better served by the club on Saturday. 

A LITTLE CONFIDENCE
November 23 RD 1931. Evening Express.
Was Everton's failing at Grimsby
The Minnow's nearly shallowed the Whale
By the Pilot.
A little confidence, like knowledge can be dangerous. This was exemplified at Grimsby, where Everton scraped home by only a goal margin. In my opinion Everton under-rated the strength of the opposition, and then when they found that Grimsby were a better team than is indicated by the League chart, they could not get back to their real methods which swept teams like the Wednesday, Newcastle, and Chelsea completely off their feet. White's penalty goal secured after 14 minutes accentuated Everton's minor superiority complex, and the scoring machine remained inactive. Grimsby throughout were rare fighters who tackled quickly and more Grimsby them the Blues. I was obvious, their one desire was to harass the Everton attack, and thanks to the Blues being content to withhold their best they partially succeeded, at least, as far as territorial play was concerned. In the circumstances, therefore Everton were fortunate to win. Grimsby thought they should have won, but in this I do not agree. No team which cannot accept scoring chances, merit victory, and consequently a draw would have better represented the play. The Town rearguard played excellently, but the forwards frittered away goal-scoring opportunities, and when they did get on the target were confronted with the outstanding man of the game –Sagar.
It is a tribute to the power of Everton that once Prior had equalised the penalty in 70 minutes, they took exactly 30 seconds in which to regain the lead through Stein. It is equally true, however, that the League leaders disappointed. They kept the ball much too close in the first half, and starved the one man who seemed likely to get goals, -Dean. They improved later on in the matter of tactics, and Johnson, particularly tried to adopt the open methods, but somehow the side never operated together smoothly, and except for Sagar and Dean, no man played up to his real form.
Unbalanced.
As a matter of fact, they were unbalanced by a side possibly any amount of grit and not a little football skill. The players realise that they were fortune's favourites in a game, which didn't produce an over-abundance of collaboration or delicate construction. Sagar played brilliantly in the Everton goal and had it not been for him the Blues would not have maintained their victorious run. His anticipation and positioning was perfect. Dean ploughed a lonely furrow for the most part but did well with indifferent material. It was entirely due to his enterprise that Everton were able to get the winning goal, for it was he who prevented Read from clearing the long hop from Williams. Cresswell was a better back them Williams, who, however, was comparable to any in regard to tackling. Gee seemed affected by his attack of rheumatism, and Clark was the better of the wing halves. Critchley had one bright period, but Stein rarely promised well, while White held the ball too close and lacked initiative in shooting. Johnson was the next best of Dean.

LECIESTER CITY'S VISIT.
November 25 th 1931. Liverpool Post and Mercury
By John Peel.
The Everton team to play against Leicester City at Goodison Park, on Saturday, will be the same as against Grimsby-namely; Sagar; Williams, Cresswell; Clark, Gee, Thomson; Critchley, White, Dean, Johnson, Stein. The City have figured in some remarkable games at Goodison Park, I can recall a 7-1 victory for Everton, and a 5-4 win for the City after the home side had started off with two goal lead and been led in turn 5-2. The Reserves side to met Huddersfield Town in the Central league game at Huddersfield will be; Coggins; Bocking, Lowe; McClure, TP Griffiths, Archer; P. Griffiths, Dunn, Martin, Friar, Rigby.

LECIESTER WILL MEET FULL MIGHT OF EVERTON.
November 25 th 1931. Evening Express.
Blues make no change for Saturday.
By the Pilot.
The Everton team which has scored 24 goals in the last three matches at Goodison Park will face Leicester City, on the same ground on Saturday. In addition, the team as constituted has captured every point at stake since September 26 on the only occasion, on which a change had to be made, the Blues divide the points at Hudderesfield. Gee and Thomson who were suffering from rheumatism and tonsillitis respectively at Grimsby, have now completely recovered, in the last season that the clubs met Leciester took four points, and it was singular that the score was the same in both instances –5 goals to four. The City are one of the cleverest football sides in the competition, and since they have banished the injury and bogey from their camp, they have been treating their supporters to some of the shrewd collaboration which has been a source of delight for many seasons. On Saturday they defeated Sunderland by five goals to nil. Everton team is Sagar; Williams, Cresswell; Clark, Gee, Thomson; Critchley, White, Dean, Johnson, Stein,
Reserve eleven.
The Central league team will journey to Huddersfield and will field a particularly strong eleven. Everton Reserves-Coggin; Bocking, Lowe; McClure, TP Griffiths, Archer; PH Griffiths, Dunn, Martin, Fryer, Rigby.

EVERTON, LEAGUE LEADERS, AT THE STORK 
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 25 November 1931
The Cuefellows, who started their seventh annual tour In aid of the Goodfellow  Fund with a fine 13 pounds from the 55th Divisional Royal Engineers, play  their second match on Friday evening  next, at the Stork Hotel, Queen-square,  when Everton F.C. the Football League  leaders, will kindly provide the opposition.  The match will start at 7 p.m. prompt, ten games will be played, and the teams in alphabetical order will be as follows Everton F.C., Bocking, Berkely, Critchley, Clark, Dean, Dunn, Gee, Hart, Rigby, and Reid.  Cuefellows;- W. Blunsum, J.H. Chynoweth, C.C. Edmondson, B.T. Fairhurst, T. Fay, F. Geary, jun, J. Garvis, J.T. Morris, G.L. Price, C.R. Smith.  The Cuefollows propose to score 150  points to Everton's 100 in each game.  Mr. Henry Meystre, mine host of the Stork, and Bob Boadler, of the billiard-room, have made excellent preparations for a pleasant evening's entertainment, of which the auction is a feature.  We hope to have a famous lightning sketch artist, too (Writes "Blackstaff”) our cigars are roost smokeable, and the golden sovereign stands at par already.  Gold is soaring!

PRAISE 
Liverpool Echo - Thursday 26 November 1931
"Three Old Blues" have written before, and still maintain the Everton club has the finest wing men in the country (Great Britain). May they still carry on the good work, say Three Reckitts," who produce two cuttings. Thus: — Everton’s forward line contains the five best marksman in the country. We have grown so accustomed to hearing of the goal-scoring qualities of Dixie Dean that there is a tendency to forget the cleverness of the men on his left and right. This time last year the Arsenal was the team of the period.  They were tipped for the Soccer double, the Cup and the championship, but if there is any such tipping now. Everton must be the team most favoured. They have a lead of three points in the League table, despite the fact that they have lost three matches.  I don't think any team in modern times, not even the Arsenal; have played the superlatively irresistible football Everton have shown this month.  Stein and Critchley, the Everton wingers, are great factors in winning matches. The club is all for attack and not one that exploits the W formation and safely first. 

BID FOR ANOTHER RECORD
November 27 th 1931. Evening Express.
Everton's Victory team to face Leciester
By the Pilot.
The team that Everton field against Leciester City at Goodison Park tomorrow has not conceded a point this season. They have played in seven matches and captured full points with a goal average of 37 against 12. They should preserve this record against the Midlanders, and the two points will assist them in the race for the honours of being the first football league to reach 30 points this season. At the moment their nearest rivals, are Leeds (26 points), Southend (24 points) and Brentford (24 points). Leciester City can hardly be considered the power they were, though of late they have made steady improvement, due to their more experienced players being recalled, but I cannot see them repeating the victory they gained when last at Goodison Park. It should be a keen fight, producing football of the highest class. Sagar; Williams, Cresswell; Clark, Gee, Thomson; Critchley, White, Dean, Johnson, Stein.

EVERTON PLAYERS AND THEIR PLEAS AND PLEASANTRIES
Liverpool Echo - Friday 27 November 1931
Bee’s Notes
Everton at home will try to rearrange their forces to supply the want that showed up at Grimsby. The truth was that at Grimsby they chanced to meet a relegation side in prospect; a team that roused itself to enormous effort.  Everton found they could beat them at  will in the dribble and pass game, but  the Everton fellow, did not realise that  there was a time and place for dribble  and pass and that to pass back was to  put the machine back an hour as if it  were summer-time. Everton were disappointed with themselves, although they won. To expect these eights and nines, says one of their leading players, is to be unfair. We are glad to have had the ramp, but do not forget that  up to the visit  to Derby County's ground,  when we lost 3-0, we were looked upon  as a very ordinary side. Team-spirit and team-work have done the rest, and the lads are keen to go on piling up the agony, but to expect as a sort of right that we shall go on heaving goals as if they lay dormant is to make sure the inroad to dissatisfaction.  We do not want the crowd to imagine that Everton can walk through every defence with ease. Every match gets harder; Everton are out for every honour the game can give.  There as one missing link, and Everton meeting such a fine side of crafty players as Leicester City hope to make a further inroad into the goals columns tomorrow. Leicester have won against Everton 5-4 after being out of the lead 4-3 three minutes from the end; they have led Leicester 3-0 and lost 4-3. The balance-sheet shows something coming to Leicester. Overdue in fact Everton players' pleas have been given; their pleasantries for their patrons will consist of a good win by a good margin and much good football included.  Everton; Sagar; Williams, Cresswell; Clark, Gee, Thomson; Critchley, White, Dean, Johnson, Stein. 

CAN EVERTON KEEP IT UP?
November 28 th 1931. Liverpool Post and Mercury
By John Peel
Everton are at home to Leicester City. Can the Leaders maintained their high scoring feats at the expense of this strong side? That is the question, which will be in the minds of Everton followers when the game begins today. It is remarkable how Everton have reduced good sides to mere common place combination on their own ground in recent weeks, but Leicester City are bound to set themselves to put a stop to the orgy of goal scoring. Fore and aft the City present forceful opposition, and I fancy it will be a hard struggle today. At Grimsby last Saturday, Everton did not reproduce their best but they ought to return to form this afternoon. The team is unchanged and the City will have their full side. The kick-off is at 2-30, and the teams are; Sagar; Williams, Cresswell; Clark, Gee, Thomson; Critchley, White, Dean, Johnson, Stein. Leicester City; McLaren; Black, Osborne; Findlay, Heywood, Ritchie; Adock, Hine, Chandler, Smith, Barry.
Goodfellows.
A collection in aid at the Goodfellow fund will be taken at the Everton against Leicester City match today, give freely-give quickly.
Sports Pie
•  Alex Virr, the former Everton half-back, is now report sound again and playing for the Crewe Training College team, while he is training to become a teacher.
•  Jasper Kerr, we hear has opened a business house in Preston
•  George Harrison, the veteran winger is now 39, he begin with Leciester Fosse in 1911, when he was 19.

MORE GOALS AT GOODISON
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 28 November 1931
EVERTON LEAD LECIESTER BY FOUR GOALS TO ONE AT INTERVAL
By Stork
Everton; Sagar; Williams, Cresswell; Clark, Gee, Thomson; Cricthley, White, Dean, Johnson, Stein.  Leicester City;- Mclaren; Black, Osborne; Findlay, Heywood, Ritchie; Adcock, Hine, Chandler, Lockhead, Barry.  Referee; Mr. A.J. Caseley, Wolverhampton. 
For the first time for many week: we  had a perfect day for an Everton “at  home" In fact, so unfortunate were  Everton in the matter of weather that  they were becoming known as a bad  weather side, but at any rate they had  befogged many of their rivals in games  that had been difficult to view.  To-day conditions wen simply ideal, and although the crowd was not big at the commencement, them was every indication of the ground housing its usual 30,000 odd.  The game opened with Everton playing their now famous criss-cross passing, Johnson “finding " first  Critchley and then Stein, but when the  last-named made a good centre slap  bang in front of goal, White came in  for an offside decision.  Osborne, the City back, showed a cool head and a good punt when the Everton  right wing threatened to move forward,  but for some moments there was not that kick in the game which one has been  accustomed to see when watching the  Everton team. Everton had made us rather too expectant.  They have claimed an early goal in most of their games thus far, and that one did not come from their early sallies did not look right.  Hardly had t quoted the care of Everton an early goal than Dean must go and make me eat my words by nodding the ball into the Leicester goal at the sixth minute. It was a beautifully made point too, for no fewer than four men had a hand in it, and Dean’s was the easiest part of the quartet. Here is a description of how it started, and bow it ended:  Johnson to Stein. Stein to Critchley.  Critchley to Dean, then into the net.  There was a debate over the genuineness of the goal on the score of offside on the part of Dean. Dean certainly appeared to be offside when he actually lined up with Critchley's header, but one must not overlook the fact that he had been travelling upwards, and was undoubtedly behind the ball as it left Critchleys headpiece. That fact alone made Dean onside.   
WHITE DELIGHTS 
The referee, on appeal, decided to consult his linesman, and he must have obtained the “all clear" from him colleague.  The Everton folks had had their desire, and four minutes later they were sent into ecstasies once again when White scored after Dean had unselfishly made an opening for him.  White's shot was not of the full-blooded order, because he did not get a true blow at it, but it was of much better quality than a fierce ball driven at a goalkeeper, for it was placed well wide of McLaren.  While I am telling you of Everton are scoring feats, I must not forget to tell You of Sagar’s sterling work in the Everton goal.  He had not had a lot to do, but what he had was of an uncommon and difficult type; yet this young man refused to allow Leicester to beat him.  He made four perfect saves from different members of the City side, and for his work he was the recipient of congratulations from everybody around the ground. Two goals in ten minutes was surely sufficient satisfaction for anyone but the Everton team itself, and at the seventeenth minute they took another—a third goal.  This was again the result of the brilliant headwork of Dean.  When Critchley had made his centre most of us had expected Dean to make a header towards the City goal, but there is nothing orthodox about the Everton centre, and he quaintly nodded the ball to Johnson, who smote it so hard that I very much doubt it McLaren saw it flash by him and into his net. 
JOHNSON COMPLETES 
There can he no doubt that Johnson  has a fine left foot, the power of his  drive McLaren will never know, for he  was never given the opportunity  gauge it.  Osborne was hurt in a tackle, and had to come to the touchline to receive attention. He returned after a while, but was limping badly, and bore a look on his face as if the damage was very painful, so that it was not surprising to me that in practically his very next tackle he dropped down and had to be taken off a second time, and I am afraid it is for the rein of the match.  It was a peculiar sort of game, in that there were many dull moments, yet it could come into life all in a flash, and if Dean had not kicked round a semi-centre shot four goals would have been marked up on the Everson slate, for it was one of the most simple opportunities and I could not understand how Dean had failed to make good use of it.  Everton's plan of campaign was much too good for Leicester, and McLaren was the luckiest man breathing to escape when he failed to pick up a ball in front of his goal, and so allowed Stein to get possession and hook it up on to the crossbar. Black, however, who had fallen back, kicked clear.
DEAN THE FOURTH
A fourth goal was not long in the making, and the cause of it, to some extent, must be placed on McLaren’s shoulders.  Dean, who was standing awaiting the anticipated Stein centre, calmly nodded the ball to the far side of the goal.  McLaren saw the scheme and patted the ball out, but that tap was not nearly strong enough, for the ball simply went back to Dean's feet and, stretching out his leg, the Everton centre steered the ball into the goal.  The City were feeling the loss of  Osborne, but they, nevertheless, kept  pegging away with their few opportunities,  and Chandler forced begat into  making yet another capital save.  Chandler would have done better if he had not veered over to his left flank, for by so doing he spoiled his shooting angle.   Still, he made Sagar bring off a fine piece of work. Just after this Osborne returned to occupy the outside left position, but there was no disputing Everton’s superiority.  Johnson had to take his right foot to a shot when Dean had put the ball back to him, the result being that the ball went flying over the crossbar. A wag in the Press asked. “How many players have Everton got on the field, twenty-two?" It certainly seemed there was always an Everton man on the ball, wherever it was. 
A HINE DRIVE 
As so very often happen, Everton’s opponents have obtained goals in the fleeting minutes of a half. Leicester was no exception, for two minutes from the end Hine scored with a grand drive from Barry’s pass.  Hine, so Kenny Campbell told me, shoots with as much power as any man he know. Hine is only little, but it is easy to be seen from where comes his great shooting—he has a perfect pair of thighs. McLaren pulled down a dropping shot from Critchley, who was later stopped another shooting chance by thee the entire whistle.  Half-time; Everton 4, Leicester City 1. 
GOODISON GOAL “NINE”
LECIESTER CITY LEAVE NUGGETS
FOUR FOR DEAN
JOHNSON AND WHITE SHARE HONOURS
Who is going to stop Everton?  Some of the League's best sides have been at Goodison, and they have all suffered the same fate.  Sheffield Wednesday, Newcastle, Chelsea, and Leicester City have yielded 33 goals to this wonder team of ours.  Leicester had the heart knocked out of them in 15 minutes—three goals against is not the sort of tonic to do one good.  Yet it must be confessed that there was much good football in the City make-up, but it could net live against the progressive play and deadly marksmanship of Everton. For once in a way the goal-scoring was confined to the  three inside men, and four to Dean,  who, however, missed his hat-trick  through others intervening.  It would appear at sight that McLaren could be faulted, but that would not be a truth for he played a great game for a side that had run up against a team that astonishes the football world.
In the first half Dean 92), White and Johnson scored for Everton; Hine for Leicester. Everton soon added to their interval score. By the time the game had been in progress 56 minutes they had chalked up seven goals.  The second half story began at the 46th minute, when Johnson headed beyond McLaren, following a corner kick.  Then came Whiter curiosity goal.  Gee thumped the ball up the field, and although McLaren had positioned himself to take it, I do not believe he would have bad occasion to do so, for the ball appeared to be travelling outside.  What happened, however, to cause the goalkeeper's defeat was that the ball glanced off White and sped into the far of the goal, right away from the unfortunate McLaren. Some people maintained that White did not know anything about it.  Then Mr. Dean came along with a seventh goal, beating McLaren in getting up to a corner kick taken by Critchley, Fifty-six minutes. Everton 7, Leicester City 1.  Leicester replied, and following a couple of saves by Sager, they got second goal. It was in the nature of a  gift, for Sagar turned a corner kick under  his own bar at two minutes after the hour  Everton seemed to be taking things  rather easily,  and the City came more  into the picture, but they were too  individualistic, and although it brought  a shot or two, Sagar was never really  in difficulties,  On the other hand, whenever Everton did let themselves go there was nearly  always work for McLaren, who, although beaten so often, had played an astonishingly good game. One of the best was when he punched out a snorter by dean.  That shot was so hot that he could not hold it, but he punched it away far enough to safe-guard himself.  Quite the best movement of the whole game must be credited to the visitors.  The ball was passed from man to man until at least half a dozen had a say in its destiny, which, however, as over the bar. 
The game had taken on a quiet  character, Everton seemed quite satisfied to lead by five goals, but in the  twinkling of an eye goal number eight  earns through a run and centre by  Stein. McLaren left his goal only to be beaten by Dean.  McLaren, after making two excellent saves, suffered his ninth defeat through a brilliant long shot by Clark, who thus scored his first goal in First Division football.  During all this time Leicester had played quite well, but whereas Everton had adopted the open method, the visitors had been playing as units but I confess that I did not relish Chandler his lob, for he hardly got a pass worth calling the name, almost in the last minute Barry missed the chance of a lifetime, but it would have made no difference with Everton so far in front.  Final; Everton 9, Leicester City 2. 

STUB MARKS
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 28 November 1931
By Louis T. Kelly

GARSTON ROYAL V EVERTON
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 28 November 1931
IIN THE Liverpool County Challenge Cup, as Garston, Everton attacked and Worrall scored in the first minute.  Before the Royal had settled down Cunliffe added a second goal.  Stewart reduced the elad, but Everton still pressed.  Whittling playing a great game in the Royal goal.  Just on half-time Ive headed an equalizer.  Half-time; Garston 2, Everton A 2.

HUDDERSFIELD TOWN RESERVES 4 EVERTON RESERVES 0
November 28 th 1931.
Central League (Game 16)
No Information in local press.
Everton team ; - Coggins, goal; Bocking and Lowe, backs; McClure, TP Griffiths and Archer, half-backs; PH Griffiths, Dunn, Martin, Fryer, and Righy, forwards.
Garston Boys 2 Everton "A" 4
Liverpool Challenge Cup first round.
At Garston. Superior football gave Everton the verdict over a team of hard triers. Worrall scored in the first minute for Everton, and Cunliffe added a second with in ten minutes. Stewart reduced the lead with a good shot, and just on half-time Lves headed an equaliser. In the second half the Royals were the better team, though two breakaways gave Davies and Webster goals for Everton.

EVERTON 9 LEICESTER CITY 2
November 30 th 1931. Liverpool Post and Mercury
Long Passing Craft.
How Everton Make Scoring Easy
By "Bee."
Everton's success over Leciester City by 9 goals to 2 provided a ready answer to the question whether Everton could continue their high-scoring successes. It was Everton's fourth consecutive big home victory. Sheffield Wednesday, Newcastle United, Chelsea and Leicester City have been beaten on successive Saturday's at Goodison Park for formidable score, with a total of 33 goals against 8 in favour of Everton. Well might it be asked who is going to stop this wonderful scoring machine, although curiously enough Everton's recent performances away from home have not been in the same category. Everton's home form is certainly good enough to beat any opposition, and visiting side look like having a lean time. On Saturday, Leicester played as well as they were expected to play, and throughout touched a fairly high standard, while at times their work was excellent. They made the mistake, however, of keeping the ball close, and their passing was not neatly as smart and accurate as was Everton'. The pace was good, and Everton have perfected their play of long swift passing to such an extent that the side moves with clock like precision. From defence the whole side changes to attack with remarkable swiftness, and opposing defenders are often surprised and helpless. Leciester suffered a handicap when they lost Osborne, their left back after twenty-five minutes' play. He returned after being off twelve minutes, and took up the out-side position, but he was of little practical use.
Was it Offside.
At that stage Everton had a lead of three clear goals. The first goal headed through by Dean at the end of six minutes brought vigorous protest from the Leicester players who claimed that dean was off-side when he headed through, and they certainly seemed to have a good case. Before the game was resumed the referee consulted a linesman and was apparently satisfied with his own verdict. Throughout Leicester played with a fine sporting spirit but Everton's skill, wonderful teamwork, and excellent ball control were too much for the Midlanders. McLaren, although beaten so often, made some capital saves and was an outstanding figure on the Leicester side. The defence suffered through Osborne's injury, and the half-backs were so much overworked that the forwards hardly got the support they should have had. Adcock put in some sparkling runs, but did not always finish well. Sagar, by his general alertness and good anticipation, kept a capital goal, although in the second half he fumbled the ball as it came from a corner and allowed it to fall into the net, thus giving Leciester their second goal.
Stern Solidity
Williams and Cresswell made a solid pair, the latter player's cool confidence harmonizing well with the vigorous and effective work of Williams. There was strength and solidity in the middle line, and Clark scored his first League goal with a rousing shot. The forwards had a fine understanding, and the work of the line as a whole could not have been improved upon. Dean's heading was difficult to anticipate. He held the line together with deft passes and was always in position for a break through. The goals were scored in the following order; Dean (6) (29) (56) (78), Johnson (17) (46); White (10) (51); Hine (43) Sagar (own goal 62); Clark (83). Teams; - Everton; - Sagar, goal; Williams and Cresswell, backs; Clark, Gee, and Thomson, half-backs; Critchley, White, Dean (captain), Johnson and Stein, forwards. Leicester City; - McLaren, goal; Black and Osborne, backs; Findley, Heywood and Ritchie, half-backs; Adcock, Hine, Chandler, Lockhead, and Barry, forwards.

EVERTON NUMBER NINES" 
Liverpool Echo - Monday 30 November 1931
By Stork
Some years ago Leicester City came to Goodison and astonished the home folk by taking a victory after they had been three goals in arrears at the interval. It was a bitter blow, but it was not nearly so bitter a pill as the City had to swallow on Saturday it was No. 9, you know, the kind the Army doctor gave you for all manner of complaints when you went sick.  Leicester must  have been sick at the finish of this game, for I feel that Everton have got a dozen goals if  they had liked to press their ease, for  they scored  goals with an ease and grace  that made the casual visitor—there were  some in the press-box-wonder what  manner of team this was that could run  through the City defence without any  apparent effort, and then take an easy  and await eventualities.  Everton are full of their own importance. They seem to know full well that a goal against them can be wiped out the very next minute, so cock-sure are they of themselves. I can recall the time when things were quite the revere, but have a great belief in themselves nowadays, and a goal against is not the terrifying affair it was once. Leicester took two goals on Saturday, but Everton almost immediately negatived the point with swift retribution.  Everton, on their present form, are the best side in the land, and this includes Arsenal, “tagged” the wonder team by all southerners. .. The Arsenal, even when at their best, could not boast 33 goals in four consecutive home games.  It is first-class sensationalism. 
A MIGHTY WHOLE
I am stumped for adjectives! I have worked them aII out, but you know the reason of Everton's success as well as I--it is team work, one mighty whole.  There is no faulty forged link, no square peg for a round hole, but more important is the fact that there have been no serious injuries, and consequently no changes. What does that mean? Ask the trainer. He knows.  Leicester City have always been a favourite club of mine, for they play top-grade football, but for some time past they have put too much faith in their ability to work the ball, and have missed the main point-definition in front of goal.  Thy showed skill in the game against Everton, but like Chelsea, they kept the ball much too close- made three movements where one would have done, which was directly opposite to the methods of their conquerors, who made one pass do.  Everton found their man with an accuracy that was uncanny.  Whether it was a long pass or a side tap it made no matter, for the ball went as straight as a die to the men it was meant for, with the City defenders unable to prevent it.  Osborne accident was unfortunate for Leicester, but I doubt whether it had any direct bearing upon the result, for Everton were three goals too the good when he left the field.  Three Everton players are due for internationals calls.  I cannot see how they can be passed over for to a great extent they are the big factors in Everton’s sensational wins.  They are Johnson, Dean and Gee.  Johnson is the Alec James of the Everton side, with his flicks, his cross passes, and his roving commission.  There, is, however, a difference, for Johnson can score goals with that trusty left foot of his.  Dean is back at his best- better than ever, to my mind-and Gee must be in because of his knowledge of Dean’s requirements and his link with his wing men.  These three men should lighten the selectors' task today for the match with Spain.  They pick themselves.  Nine goals in the net is not a good advertisement for any goalkeeper, but McLaren lost nothing through such a beating. I thought he made one slight error alien Dean scored his second goal, but as against that he prevented many other balls from finding a home in his net. There was an offside claim against Dean’s first point, but to one who studies Dean's positional play I made him onside when Critchley headed across to him. I am not going to describe all the goals, but must tell you of White’s second which was a curio.  Gee slammed the ball towards, and I distinctly saw McLaren position himself to take it if need be.  White was standing well up, and my reading was that the ball struck the inside right, and was diverted right away from the goalkeeper.  It was a stroke of luck that the ball hit White, who may, or may not, have known that he was making a goal.   Dean missed his hat-trick. He  missed his new “cady " the night  before, at the Goodfellows match; so he is not the only one who can score “hat-tricks”  Sagar kept a great goal, especially in the opening half.
Everton and Liverpool watched Celtic and Cowdenbeath on Saturday.  Liverpool were not impressed with either side, although Frame in an new position (right back) was rather fancied.  Everton were disappointed with the whole of the game, but Stewart (outside left) had a star put to his name.  Cowdenbeath’s centre, Paterson, played at Goodison a few years ago, but he has not improved. 

EVERTON'S FOOTBALL SWEEP
November 30 th 1931. Evening Express.
November No Handicap
Breaking all Records this Year
By the Pilot.
You can put upset who are first class; Marking Ted Critchley so fine; You can try to stop Dean, Johnson, White of Stein. But you can't stop us from scoring nine. –With profound apologies to the author of all you cannot stop me from loving you.
I didn't hear this sung at Goodison Park, but it might well have been, for Everton were irresistible. If you have any doubt about Everton's astonishing ability this season, ask Leicester City. Yes, ask McLaren, who had nine goals put past him and yet gave one of the most brilliant goalkeeping performances of the season. He did not get the proverbial "dog's chance" with any of the shots that beat him.
What a team!
In nine matches Everton have collected 15 points and scored 46 goals against 14 by opponents. Already they have won in the race for 60 goals; they are first favorites in the race for 30 points; their 33 goal in four successive home matches is, I think, without paralled in the annuals of First Division Football. Where is it going to end? Last season the Blues scored no fewer than 143 goals in league and cup matches, so that in a season and a third they have collected 205 goals. Surely this achievement is incomparable.
How It is Done.
Wonderful team spirit; a perfect knowledge of positional play, and dynamic shooting has taken them to their pinnacle. There were the attributes, which brought about the complete rout of Leicester. In my opinion had Everton not eased up for two periods they would have gone well into double figures. The first period of holding off was just before the interval, when Hines scored for the City. The second was midway through the second half. The team work was positively inspiring, and I do not think the fact that Osborne was so injured that he had to go to outside left made any difference to the result. Their first goal was disputed and everyone on the Goodison-road side of the ground though Leicester were claiming for offside. I was one, but was emphatic in my assertion that Dean was onside. As a matter of fact, the protest was on the grounds that Dean fisted the ball into the net, and from inquiries which I made I learn that he did handle. I sympathize with the City with regard to this goal, but right from the kick off it was patent that they would be incapable of harnessing the penetrative ability of the Blues.
Critchley.
One hesitates to criticize such a combination, but I must say that I thought Critchley went "solo" rather too much in the second half when his policy was to "prop" for others to "cop." Then the Blues might well have brought off a "Royal abundance." The half-backs were alive to the needs of those in front and the backs were an ideal pair. Sagar comes in for special praise, for he accomplished some mighty, deeds in the first half, and was the means of holding up the City when they were making their best efforts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

November 1931